2.3 


J~ 


/  ^ 


LII^R^R  Y 


Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON.    N.  J. 

BV  4501  .S8  1833 
c   Stevens,  Maria. 

The  progressive  experience 


^ 


-s 


B 


of   the   heart 


VUKf 


i 


THE  PROGRESSIVE 
EXPERIENCE  OF  THE  HEART. 


THE 

PROGRESSIVE    EXPERIENCE 
OF    THE   HEART, 

UNDER    THE    DISCIPLINE    OF   THE 
HOLY   GHOST, 

FROM   REGENERATION  TO   MATURITY. 


/ 
BY  MRS.  'STEVENS. 


The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  that  shineth  more  and 
more  unto  the  perfect  day. — Pruv.  iv.  18. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PUBLISHED  BY  KEY  &  BIDDLE,  MINOR-STREET. 

1833. 


R.  &  G.  S.  WOOD,  PUINTERS,  NEW-YORK. 


PROGRESSIVE    EXPERIENCE 


OR,  THE 


HEART  OF  MANX^NDER  GRACIOUS  DISCIPLINE. 


THE  HEART'S  CORRUPTION. 
Jeremiah  xvii.  9. 

Observation  and  experience  will  convince  us 
that  there  is  no  subject  on  which  man  is  so 
generally  ignorant  as  that  of  the  true  character 
and  state  of  the  human  heart.  There  is,  how- 
ever, none  with  which  it  is  of  more  consequence 
to  be  acquainted  ;  the  question  liow  we  may  in  any 
degree  attain  to  such  knowledge  therefore  becomes 
highly  important.  Certain  it  is,  that  no  power 
short  of  the  Almighty  Spirit  can  prove  an  effect- 
ual teacher  in  this  pursuit,  and  to  him  we  must 
look  for  true  illumination  of  mind.  Yet  as  he 
is  pleased  in  many  instances  to  work  through  the 
instrumentality  of  those  persons  who  are  already 
under  his  divine  operation,  it  affords  encourage- 
ment to  the  charity  and  zeal  of  faith  thus  to 
2 


4i  THE    HEART  S    CORRUPTION. 

work ;  and  souls  truly  embued  with  heavenly  affec- 
tions, will  not  fail  to  seek  the  powerful  presence 
of  the  Spirit  in  this  effort  of  love.  It  is  a  blessed 
endeavour  when  they,  who  are  constituted  by  the 
Lord  "the  light  of  the  world,"  labour  to  shed 
forth  the  supernatural  rays  that  emanate  from  the 
divine  life ;  and  yet  more  blessed  when,  by  the 
attendant  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  sinners  are 
thus  assisted  in  discovering  their  own  condition, 
or  saints  cheered  by  stronger  discernment  of 
their  regenerate  state.  It  may  be  that  the  Lord 
will  acknowledge  the  feeble  attempt  presented 
through  these  pages ;  his  blessing  is  implored  by 
the  writer, — may  he  answer  the  appeal  by  speak- 
ing in  this  form  to  the  enquiring  solicitude  of  any 
precious  souls  desiring  to  ascertain  the  point  to 
which  their  steps,  as  spiritual  pilgrims,  have  been 
conducted ! 

As  a  preliminary  in  the  course  of  subjects  pro- 
posed for  our  consideration,  it  will  be  necessary, 
in  the  first  place,  to  ascertain  in  what  sense  the 
scriptures  make  use  of  the  phrase  "  The  heart 
of  manP  By  comparing  several  passages  which 
present  this  expression,  we  shall  discover,  that 
the  Holy  Spirit's  evident  design  is  to  describe 
the  source  of  man's  desires — feelings — passions — 
sentiments,  or  actions.  Thus  it  is  said  in  Matt, 
xiii.  34.  "  Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart, 
man  speaketh :"  so  in  Prov.  iv.  2.3.  that  "  Out  of 
the  heart  are  the  issues  of  life ;"  and  again  in 
Prov.  xix.  2L     "  In  the  heart  of  man  are  many 


THE    HEART  S    CORRUPTION.  6 

devices."  In  these  and  similar  passages,  the  sense 
is  quite  clear ;  man  being  considered  as  giving 
forth,  fr  '111  this  internal  spring,  the  demonstration 
of  his  character  and  principles.  In  its  original, 
the  spring  was  pure  and  uncorrupt.  The  gracious 
Creator  beheld  his  own  work  with  complacent 
delight,  pronouncing  the  testimony  that  it  was 
"  very  good.^'  Consequently,  desires,  feelings,  pas- 
sions, sentiments,  actions,  must  have  been  holy, 
and  every  issue  from  the  heart  in  accordance  with 
the  nature  of  holy  affections.  Alas !  this  pure 
original  is  lost  to  man ;  and,  according  to  the  word 
of  God,  we  behold  the  awful  reverse.  The  crea- 
ture made  by  him  upright,  has  sought  out  many 
^^  inventions :''''  he  has  departed  from  the  simplicity 
of  affiance  in  God ;  he  ceases  to  content  himself 
with  the  one  only  satisfying  object,  and  must  have 
many  sources  of  delight,  "  Inventions"  that  is, 
things  without  reality ;  imaginary  pleasures,  and 
gratifications  formed  in  the  conceit  of  a  vitiated 
heart.  Eccl.  vii.  21.  Man's  heart  is,  accordingly, 
from  the  time  of  its  apostacy,  described  as  giving 
forth  a  perpetual  issue  of  evil,  as  it  is  written, 
"  The  imaginations  of  the  heart  of  man  are  only 
evil,  and  that  continually,"  Gen.  vi.  b.  "  An  evil 
man  out  of  the  evil  treasure  of  his  heart,  bringeth 
forth  that  which  is  evil,"  Luke  vi.  45 :  words 
spoken,  not  of  one  man,  or  of  one  generation  of 
men,  but  of  all  men  universally ;  for  "  out  of  the 
heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,"  «fcc.  Matt.  vii.  21. 22. 


4  THE    HEARTS    CORRUPTION. 

"  The  heart"  being  "  deceitful  above  all  things  and 
desperately  wicked."  Jer.  xvii.  7. 

This  is  an  awful  testimony  of  the  native  cor- 
ruption of  man,  rendered  still  more  affecting,  and 
alarming  to  the  reflective  mind,  by  the  further 
revelations  from  God,  by  which  he  has  particu- 
larized some  of  its  spiritual  maladies,  and  exposed 
the  hidden  evil.  To  this  revelation  we  are  bound 
to  give  our  decided  attention.  Infinite  mercy 
has  afforded  us  the  sight,  and  invited  us  by  this 
means  to  consider  well  the  misery  to  which  we 
are  reduced,  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  finding 
an  almighty  helper,  if  ever  we  would  attain  to 
that  spiritual  soundness  and  final  blessedness,  be- 
longing properly  to  man  as  created  by  and  for  God. 

There  is  a  hardness  and  insensibility,  belonging 
to  man's  sinful  heart,  which  is  the  constant  subject 
of  reproach  and  rebuke.  He  has  no  fear  of  God 
before  his  eyes,  Psalm  xxxvi.  1 :  he  has  no  dread 
of  transgression  in  his  soul ;  the  divine  glory,  the 
holy  law,  the  final  judgment,  are  alike  contemned 
and  disregarded ;  and  as  a  creature  deliberately 
and  voluntarily  given  up  to  impenitency,  he  refuses 
to  hearken,  pulls  away  the  shoulder,  stops  the  ear, 
and  makes  his  heart  harder  than  an  adamantine 
stone,  lest  the  words  of  the  Lord  should  be  heard 
or  felt.  Such  lamentable  evils  are  described  thus 
in  the  sacred  Scriptures,  and  not  by  any  exaggera- 
tion of  the  evil.  Alas  !  the  visible  course  pursued 
by  sinners  affords  an  incontrovertible  evidence  of 


THE   HEART  S    CORRUPTION.  9 

the  fact.  The  stony  heart  is  manifestly  thus  in- 
sensible and  obstinate ;  and  we  behold  the  trans- 
gressor unalarmed  by  the  terrors  of  the  Almighty, 
untouched  by  the  divine  compassions  of  the  Lord, 
unconscious  of  the  disgrace  and  ruin  awaiting  him, 
and  unmindful  of  the  proclamation  of  gospel  mercy. 
Thus  man  coolly  determines  to  prosecute  his  own 
way,  regardless  of  revelation,  and  disdaining  re- 
proof 

By  another  affecting  figure  God  has  been  pleased 
to  proclaim  to  man  his  fearful  loss  of  conformity 
to  the  divine  nature,  and  his  likeness  to  the  fallen 
spirits.  He  is  described  as  full  of  darkness.  The 
ray  of  glory  which  illumined  his  soul  when  innocent, 
is  now  withdrawn,  and  spiritual  light  is  extinguished. 
He  loves  to  have  it  so ;  and  is  ever  engaged  in 
excluding  every  beam  that  would  obtrude.  He 
"  loves  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  his  deeds 
are  evil ;"  delighting  in  the  service  of  Satan,  he 
seeks  to  shroud  himself  beneath  his  mantle ;  and 
would  fain  for  ever  shut  out  the  troublesome  light, 
which  makes  manifest  what  he  would  not  behold. 
Thus,  whether  it  shines  through  the  word,  or  prov- 
idence, or  Christian  profession ;  or  seek  to  gain 
an  entrance  through  the  conscience,  it  is  alike  hated 
and  resisted.  John  iii.  19.  But  this  is  not  all ; 
man  is  not  only  described  as  full  of  darkness,  but 
as  darkness !  The  whole  of  his  existence  is,  in  a 
spiritual  sense,  under  this  dominion :  he  lives  under 
the  power  of  infatuated  counsels  and  destructive 
passions,  the  nature  and  end  of  which  he  does  not 
2* 


O  THE    HEART  S    CORRUPTION. 

comprehend ;  as  it  is  written,  "  The  way  of  the 
wicked  is  as  darkness,  they  know  not  at  what  they 
stumble,"  Prov.  iv.  19:  "because  that  darkness 
hath  filled  their  hearts,"  and  their  nature  is  entirely 
assimilated  with  that  of  Satan.  Romans  i.  21  , 
Col.  i.  13. 

But  there  is  another  foul  accompaniment  of  this 
spiritual  ruin.  "  The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all 
things ;"  and  whether  we  look  to  its  develope- 
ment  in  the  things  which  relate  to  God,  to  man, 
or  to  himself,  we  see  its  wilful  hypocrisy,  and  deep 
delusion.  It  is  a  traitor,  confederate  with  Satan, 
and  intent  upon  securing  present  ease,  in  present 
pleasure.  Innumerable  are  its  resources  whereby 
to  lull  or  to  persuade  the  soul  into  false  peace. 
Sometimes  by  arguments  which  seek  to  justify 
evil :  sometimes  by  vain  pretences  which  would 
bribe  the  conscience  to  admit  of  temporary  com- 
pliance with  sin ;  and  sometimes  by  a  daring 
attempt  to  rest  upon  divine  mercy,  notwithstand- 
ing the  indulgence  of  sin.  Thus  we  hear  and 
feel  in  ourselves,  as  sinners,  reasonings  which  are 
subtle,  imposing,  and  plausible,  forged  out  of  the 
heart's  corruption,  and  greedily  adopted  as  an  ex- 
cuse for  rebellion.  How  many  are  daily  engaged 
in  uttering  insincere  expressions  of  good  ivishes, 
good  intentions,  future  purposes,  which  mean 
nothing  more  than  an  excuse  from  immediate  com- 
pliance with  a  known  duty  ! — and  how  many,  under 
the  power  of  this  delusion  are  ready  to  exclaim, 
' "  I  shall  have  peace  though  I  add  drunkenness  to 


THE   heart's   corruption.  7 

thirst,"  Deut.  xxix.  19 :  "  God  is  merciful,"  and  I 
shall  not  be  cast  away.'  Here  a  deceitful  heart  is 
treacherously  working  to  the  destruction  of  the 
soul.  The  miserable  individual  hath,  as  the  scrip- 
tures express  it,  "  a  deceived  heart,"  it  turneth  him 
aside,  so  that  he  cannot  say,  "  Is  there  not  a  lie  in 
my  right  hand,"  Isaiah  xliv.  20.  His  professed 
approaches  to  God  are  of  the  same  character.  He 
will  probably  occasionally  enter  his  courts,  or  raise 
his  voice  in  the  language  of  prayer,  or  praise,  but 
his  are  "flattering  lips,"  his  is  "  a  double  heart,"  "  a 
double  mind  ;" — his  are  "  bodily  exercises,  which 
profit  nothing ;"  and  his  bended  knee,  voluntary 
tear,  and  proffered  vows,  are  all  but  the  appem-ance 
of  religion ;  assumed  for  the  purpose  of  covering 
the  heart's  abomination,  but  by  no  means  intended 
to  procure  deliverance  through  the  covenant  pro- 
vision of  salvation.  The  expressions  found  in  God's 
word,  strikingly  describe  the  state  of  such.  '■  They 
are  deceitful  upon  the  weights" — "they  are  dis- 
semblers with  God" — they  are  "a  deceitful  bow." 
— they  pretend  to  wing  an  arrow  to  the  true  object, 
but  they  wilfully  miss  the  mark.  This  deceitful 
movement  of  the  heart  will  frequently  produce  a 
very  awful  degree  of  hypocrisy  in  the  concerns  of 
the  soul,  and  also  in  profession  before  fellow  men. 
Many  there  are,  who  although  quite  indifferent  to 
the  result  of  God^s  scrutiny,  are  solicitous  to  escape 
the  censure  of  man.  They  desire  to  obtain  a 
degree  of  respectability  in  life,  and  would  have  a 
certain  measure  of  approbation  from  the  religious. 


8  THE   heart's    corruption. 

Hence  there  are  in  the  world,  and  in  the  professing 
church,  thousands  who  are  deceived  and  deceiving : 
— the  heart  of  man  being  altogether  thus  evil  and 
treacherous. 

We  cannot  be  surprised,  that  a  region  thus 
corrupt  should  produce  evil  correspondent  to  the 
strongest  terms  adopted  in  the  Scriptures.  We 
cease  to  wonder  that  man  is  described  as  "  des- 
perately wicked"  that  is,  desperately  lawless,  break- 
ing the  yoke  which  divine  precept  purposes,  and 
rushing  into  manifest  revolt  from  God.  Nor  can 
we  withhold  our  assent  to  the  propriety  with  which 
the  apostate  is  stigmatized  as  such  by  the  Lord, 
since  it  is  evident  that  idols  occupy  the  seat  where 
God  should  reign,  and  that  these  require  and  re- 
ceive from  man  incessant  homage  ;  he  gives  it  with 
alacrity  as  a  willing  votary,  and  his  heart  is  fully 
set  in  him  to  do  evil.     Ecc.  ix.  3. 

This  is  that  interior  region  of  man  so  little 
known  by  himself,  yet  so  awfully  exposed  to  the 
scrutiny  of  God.  This  is  that  evil  thing,  the  heart, 
of  which  the  blinded  sinner  is  so  prone  to  boast 
as  good,  in  which  he  so  confidently  trusts  as  true, 
and  which,  even  when  he  is  forced  by  passing  fears 
to  search,  he  examines  so  superficially,  so  deceit- 
fully, and  allows  to  be  healed  so  falsely.  O  let  us 
not  be  of  those  who  confide  in  such  a  known 
traitor,  but  rather  pause,  and  meditate  upon  the 
divine  revelation,  comparing  it  with  our  own  ex- 
perience. Evidences  will  then  arise  before  our 
convicted  consciences,  which  will  tend  to  silence 


THE    heart's    corruption.  9 

the  spirit  of  self-approbation,  and  we  shall,  through 
the  humiliation  of  an  enlightened  mind,  be  better 
prepared  patiently  to  follow  the  healing  guide,  who 
by  powerful  operations  in  the  soul,  leads  out  the 
redeemed  to  liberty. 

If  we  admit  the  fact  that  the  Lord  alone  has  a 
sovereign  right  to  the  possession  of  our  heart,  its 
apostacy  and  falsehood  will  be  undeniable.  From 
infancy  we  have  preferred  every  childish  vanity 
before  the  Lord,  giving  individual  confirmation  to 
the  divine  word  which  declares  that  "  folly  is 
bound  up  in  the  heart  of  a  child,"  Prov.  xxii.  15. 
Our  maturer  years  have  been  attended  with  more 
matured  expression  of  this  native  departure  from 
the  most  High.  As  it  is  unquestionably  true 
"where  our  treisure  is,  there  will  be  our  heart 
also,"  so  is  it  undoubted  that  our  treasures  have 
been  amidst  creatures,  earthly  pleasures,  objects 
of  sense,  and  that  these  have  had  our  heart.  We, 
therefore,  come  under  condemnation  ;  as  soon  as 
we  were  born,  we  went  astray ;  and  have  wan- 
dered every  one  into  his  own  way.  Matt.  vi.  2L 
Ps.  Iviii.  3.  Is.  liii.  6.  That  our  own  heart  has 
proved  itself  to  be  hard  and  insensible  is  speedily 
discoverable.  Surely  we  must  be  sensible  that 
our  life  has  been  one  of  wicked  indifference  to 
every  consideration  which  ought  to  affect  an  im- 
mortal and  rational  creature.  The  terrible  law 
of  God,  with  all  its  destroying  denunciations,  has 
been  but  as  an  empty  unmeaning  sound  in  our 
ears ;  not  all  the  thunders  of  Sinai  have  roused 


10 


THE   HEART'S    CORRUPTION. 


US  from  our  lethargy;  not  all  the  examples  of 
Judgment  which  the  Almighty  Judge  has  brought 
before  our  eyes,  have  excited  one  personal  alarm ; 
awaiting  scenes  have  had  no  terror  to  us ;  we  have 
lived  at  ease  amidst  gathering  storms  and  a  lower- 
ing sky.  The  gentle  gospel  with  all  its  sublimity, 
and  glory,  and  grace,  has  been  equally  disregarded. 
We  have  evinced  our  native  obduracy  by  a  prac- 
tical contempt  of  the  blessed  revelation  ;  we  have 
neglected  the  ordinances  where  its  messages  are 
delivered  to  sinful  men  ;  or,  when  in  the  ordinances, 
have  retained  the  insensibility  of  a  cold  and  ob- 
durate heart.  These  are  unquestionable  demon- 
strations of  our  participation  in  the  general  apostacy 
of  man.  Neither  can  we  be  permitted  to  plead 
that  we  differ  from  others,  though  on  some  occasions 
the  word  has  been  attended  with  convicting  power. 
Many  may,  by  the  force  of  the  blow  which  it 
inflicts,  be  made  transiently  to  tremble  ;  many  may, 
by  the  melting  strains  of  the  gospel,  be  touched, 
by  a  passing  sympathy,  with  which  it  addresses 
itself  to  human  feeling,  who  nevertheless  are  not 
removed  from  transgression,  nor  won  to  Christ. 
But  the  Lord  has  various  methods  by  which  to 
draw  near  to  the  heart:  these  he  has  no  doubt 
in  measure  used  towards  us :  dispensations  of  a 
correcting  kind,  such  as  sickness,  grief,  suffering, 
have  been  sent  upon  us.  Mercies  also  of  abundant 
kinds  have  been  dispensed.  We  have  been  raised 
from  sickness,  we  have  been  delivered  from  grief, 
we  have  been  restored  to  peace. — Yet,  in  all  these 


THE    heart's    corruption.  11 

instances,  we  have  received  the  visitation  only  to 
renew  our  tokens  of  insensibility  and  ingratitude ; 
we  have  not  heard  a  voice  in  these  things,  we  have 
not  enquired  whether  there  were  a  cause  for  the 
chastisement ;  nor  have  we,  for  the  mercy,  returned 
to  give  glory  to  God  !  Alas,  we  have  remained 
impenitent,  prayerless,  unthankful !  It  is  probaVjle 
in  the  experience  of  relief  from  sadness,  some 
tributes  of  gratitude  and  affection  have  been  dis- 
tributed amongst  those  whom  the  Lord  raised  up 
to  be  our  helpers  ;  but  the  author  of  these  mercies 
has  been  forgotten  or  unknown.  We  have  also 
had  occasions  wherein  we  might  observe  the  divine 
providence  as  acting  towards  others.  Sinners  have 
been  cut  off  in  their  crimes,  and  hurried  to  God's 
dreadful  tribunal  without  a  moment's  space  for 
repentance  and  faith.  Saints  have  been  called  from 
a  course  of  obedience  and  devotion,  ripe  for  their 
inheritance,  and  manifestly  triumphing  over  death 
and  hell.  Yet,  these  events  have  not  had  in  them 
interest  sufficient  to  awaken  any  corresponding 
affection  within  us ;  w^e  have  been  satisfied  with 
some  unmeaning  exclamation  of  wonder  or  ad- 
miration, and  have  dismissed  the  consideration  as 
no  longer  of  any  moment  to  us.  Are  not  these 
conclusive  marks  of  our  hearts'  corruption  ?  Let 
us,  after  these  reflections,  compare  ourselves  with 
what  is  further  to  be  gathered  from  the  scripture 
testimony  in  Hosea  vii.  II.  Prov.  xvii.  16.  Ecc. 
viii.  II.     Is.  Ivii.  1. 

By  the  light  which  possibly  may  thus  obtain 


12  THE    heart's    corruption. 

admittance  into  our  minds,  let  us  endeavour  to  un- 
derstand the  darkness  which  has  prevailed.  What 
manifest  infatuation  has  attended  our  past  steps, 
when  we  walked  in  a  way  of  our  own  devising, 
and  chose  to  trust  in  and  obey  the  dictates  of 
passion  !  How  awful  our  blindness  when  following 
bewildering  guides,  and  surrendering  ourselves  to 
the  rule  of  the  world  and  Satan !  surely  we  now 
perceive  that  we  rushed  upon  a  thousand  deaths, 
and  madly  trifled  with  the  accursed  thing.  Surely 
we  now  feel  that  we  treasured  up  to  ourselves  also 
a  thousand  griefs ;  and  pierced  ourselves  through 
with  many  sorrows ;  and  all,  "  because  that  dark- 
ness had  blinded  our  eyes" — "the  way  of  peace 
we  had  not  known " — and  our  "  foolish  heart 
was  darkened."  Prov.  xxviii.  26.  Eph.  iv.  18. 
Ps.  xcv.  10. 

Let  us  perceive  and  be  humbled  for  the  manifest 
deceitfulness  of  our  heart :  in  innumerable  instances 
it  has  fulfilled  the  scripture  witness,  having  acted 
the  part  of  a  betrayer  to  our  souls;  and  we  can 
now  probably  detect  its  past  treachery.  The  re- 
collection of  its  delusive  reasonings,  its  subterfuges 
and  hypocrisy,  should  fill  us  with  prostration  of 
soul  before  God,  and  awaken  the  expression  of 
wonder,  and  admiration  of  his  long  forbearance. 

If  duly  impressed  by  this  evidence  of  our  own 
corruption,  we  shall  be  better  prepared  for  enter- 
ing into  the  subjects  which  lie  before  us,  and 
for  appreciating  the  several  operations  of  grace 
through  which  they  who  are  recovered  from  this 


THE    HEAIIt's    corruption.  13 

state  of  degradation  are  led  by  the  Spirit.  In  the 
mean  time  we  should  seek  for  a  due  sense  of  the 
evil  we  have  discovered.  It  is  not  enough  that 
we  should  be  convinced  of  the  disease,  we  must 
also  feel  the  torment  which  consciousness  of  dis. 
ease  produces  upon  an  awakened  conscience,  and 
know  likewise  that  to  disease  and  torment  there  is 
added  a  certain  result  of  eternal  woe  to  all  who 
die  in  this  native  condition.  It  is  from  the  Holy 
Ghost  alone  that  influences  of  this  description  are 
experienced ;  our  supplication  should  in  conse- 
quence be  directed  to  the  mercy  seat  for  the  de- 
scent of  this  divine  witness.  We  should  ask  him 
to  produce  within  us  the  practical  result  of  self- 
knowledge,  beseeching  him  to  quicken  us  to  the 
spiritual  aflJections  of  watchfulness,  faith,  and  hope, 
and  that  what  we  know  not,  he  would  vouchsafe 
to  reveal.  It  is  a  hopeful  pledge  of  further 
mercies,  when  we  are  made  sensible  that  "  the 
heart  of  the  wicked  is  nothing  worth,"  Prov. 
X.  20.  and  that  our  own  heart  is  worthy  nothing 
but  -condemnation.  Under  this  persuasion,  we 
shall  be  prepared  to  "  abhor  ourselves  in  dust 
and  ashes,"  and  to  "  place  no  confidence  in  the 
flesh."  The  imposing  appearances,  which  have 
hitherto  deceived  us,  must  be  detected  and  ex- 
posed, so  as  to  produce  this  self-distrust.  We 
are  destitute  of  all  goodness,  might,  or  power; 
we  must  know  this  to  be  our  destitution,  and 
should  accept  the  conviction  as  a  pledge  of  mercy. 
There  are  many  precious  considerations  afforded 
us  in  the  gospel,  which  may  encourage  and  sup- 
3 


14  THE    heart's    corruption. 

port  us,  whilst  venturing  thus  to  explore  and  ex- 
pose the  inward  man.  Without  these,  a  sinner 
may  be  expected  to  shrink  from  the  overwhelming 
discovery;  but  furnished  with  the  blessed  testi- 
mony that  issues  from  a  covenant  God,  the  w^ork 
may  be  prosecuted  without  producing  despair. 
The  salvation  that  is  in  Jesus  provides  for  the 
recovery,  the  softening,  the  illuminating,  the  purify- 
ing of  the  heart,  and  to  this  blessed  remedy  we 
are  continually  exhorted  to  direct  the  eye  of  faith. 
A  true  sense  of  danger,  so  far  from  generating 
distrust,  or  a  hypocritical  attempt  to  conceal  its 
extent,  will  produce  an  ingenuous  effort  to  expose 
the  whole,  with  a  penitential  confession,  and  a 
fervent  appeal  to  Him  before  whose  scrutinizing 
presence  we  do  in  fact  always  appear.  Let  this 
be  the  frame  of  mind  we  earnestly  covet,  and  let 
a  teachable  acceptance  of  the  w^ord  of  conviction 
and  reproof  prevail  in  our  soul,  and  be  presented 
before  God. 


THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION. 

John  xvi.  8 — 11. 

We  were  led  by  our  last  investigation  of  the  heart 
of  man  to  the  affecting  sight,  of  that  debased 
condition  to  which  the  sinner  is  fallen  as  an  apos- 
tate from  God,  and  as  exhibiting  his  wretched 
alienation  in  the  midst  of  spiritual  insensibility, 
darkness,  and  insincerity.  We  are  engaged  in  an 
inquiry,  however,  which  will  conduct  us  into  fur- 
ther discoveries  of  the  corruption  of  man's  heart. 
For,  although  our  great  object  is  to  examine  the 
methods  by  which  Jehovah  receives  his  creature 
to  holy  adherence  to  himself,  we  have  much  to 
interest  us  in  the  variety  of  expedients  upon  which 
the  infatuated  sinner  enters,  in  order  to  evade  the 
divine  operation.  And  we  have  also  to  shew  how 
far  even  they,  who  never  experience  the  effectual 
call  which  decides  their  affections  on  the  accept- 
ance of  the  cross,  may  be  influenced  by  certain 
accompaniments  which  belong  to  the  mediatorial 
government  that  is  at  present  dispensed  to  the 
world.  On  the  present  occasion  we  will  consider 
the  state  of  conviction. 

By  conviction  we  are  to  understand  something 
much  more  comprehensive  than  what  is  generally 
intended  by  this  term.     Usually  men  adopt  it  in 


16       THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION. 

religious  subjects  to  express  a  sense  of  sin  and 
personal  demerit.  But  we  shall  perceive,  upon 
reflection,  that  this  is  not  sufficiently  explicit; 
neither  sufficiently  enlarged  in  its  intentions,  to 
answer  the  end  of  a  suitable  interpretation  ;  since 
it  is  evident  that  there  may  be  strong  conviction 
in  the  mind  of  a  sinner,  without  any  attendant 
sense  of  individual  ruin. 

Conviction  is  frequently  operative  in  the  judg- 
ment, when  it  passes  no  further,  and  never  reaches 
the  heart.  It  is,  however,  a  necessary  experience 
as  put  in  opposition  to  that  state  of  spiritual  dark- 
ness which,  as  we  have  shewn,  pervades,  blinds, 
and  prejudices  lost  apostate  man :  and  thus  far  it 
is  valuable. 

It  consists  of  such  a  measure  of  light  in  the 
understanding,  as  convinces  the  soul  that  whatever 
is  revealed  in  the  scriptures  is  truth.  The  unillu- 
mined  mind  is  infidel  in  this  respect.  It  is  usually 
entirely  indifferent  to  the  sacred  Record,  not  re- 
ceiving it  with  any  interest,  not  attaching  any 
importance  to  its  contents,  not  admitting  it  as  a 
standard  of  judgment,  as  it  is  written  of  the  sinnner, 
"  his  ways  are  always  grievious :  thy  judgments 
are  far  above  out  of  his  sight"  Ps.  x.  If  the 
divine  testimony  is  brought  near  and  proposed,  it 
contradicts  and  blasphemes :  it  will  not  believe  the 
report,  and  despises  it  and  as  is  affirmed  of  sinners 
of  old,  speaks  "evil  of  the  right  way,"  Is.  liii.  1. 
Acts.  xix.  8,  9.  Light  poured  in  upon  the  judg- 
ment will  remove  this  obstacle ;  and  men  under 


THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION.       17 

this  influence,  listening  to  the  revelation  of  God's 
law,  are  convinced  of  its  excellency,  and  of  its 
divine  sanction  ;  at  the  same  time  that  they  admit 
the  propriety  and  equity  of  this  rule  of  judgment. 
This  was  an  effect  of  the  gospel  produced  amongst 
the  Ephesians  through  the  preaching  of  Apollos, 
and  of  whom  it  is  said,  "  he  mightily  convinced  the 
Jews,  shewing  by  the  scriptures  that  Jesus  was  the 
Christ,"  Acts  xviii.  28.  And  for  this  effect  the 
apostle  shews  that  the  labourer  should  be  solicitous, 
"holding  forth  the  faithful  word  as  he  hath  been 
taught,  that  he  may  be  able  by  sound  doctrine  both 
to  exhort,  and  to  convince,  the  gainsayers,"  Titus 
i.  9.  An  advantage  is  hereby  obtained  for  the 
further  reception  of  truth,  and  proposal  of  the 
cross ;  and  this  is  an  advantage  which  frequently 
accompanies  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel  to  a 
particular  congregation  and  people  favoured  with 
the  ministration  of  the  pure  word ;  they  are  satis- 
fied that  what  their  ministers  propose  to  them  is 
according  to  truth,  and  that  they  are  urged  upon 
points  that  must  be  considered  important,  as  cor- 
responding with  a  revelation  which  they  no  longer 
dispute  or  wholly  disregard.  This  is  conviction  in 
the  judgment. 

A  further  degree  of  this  operation  is  experienced 
when  there  is  also  an  excitement  in  the  conscience 
producing  a  conviction  that  scripture  being  truths 
there  awaits  the  creature  in  a  future  world  certain 
results  of  his  present  course,  which  God  will  cer- 
tainly accomplish.  Persons  of  this  description  are 
3* 


18       THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION. 

persuaded  that  the  denunciations  of  the  Lord  against 
transgressors  are  no  unmeaning  words,  and  that  as 
God  is  true,  so  surely  his  enemies  will  perish. 
They  know  as  the  scripture  expresses  it,  that  the 
judgment  of  God  is  against  sinners,  and  that  they 
which  commit  such  things  are  worthy  of  death, 
Rom.  i.  32.  They  anticipate  the  execution  of  the 
sentence,  when  they  contemplate  men  in  the  high 
way  of  rebellion,  and  will  frequently  exclaim  against 
their  career,  and  talk  of  the  overhanging  vengeance 
which  threatens  the  impenitent.  They  are  equally 
persuaded  that  the  divine  promises  shall  be  fulfilled, 
and  that  so  far  from  the  life  of  a  saint  being  charge- 
able as  they  once  thought  with  folly  and  wild  en- 
husiasm,  it  is  honourable,  and  shall  be  recom- 
pensed. They  know  that  "  God  is,  and  that  he  is  a 
rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him,"  Heb. 
xi.  6.  and  they  frequently  contemplate  the  course 
of  the  devoted  with  admiration ;  they  understand 
somewhat  of  its  high  peculiarities,  and  will  say, 
'  These  are  the  happiest  people  !'  They  are  also 
fully  convinced  there  is  not  the  enjoyment  in  the 
service  of  sin  which  they  once  madly  hoped  and 
expected :  they  have  seen  its  issue  in  others,  and 
that  God's  word  is  established  in  their  example, 
"  destruction  and  misery  are  in  their  ways,  and  the 
way  of  peace  they  have  not  known,"  Rom.  iii.  17. 
They  look  on  the  thousands  who  are  ruined  by 
crime  in  character,  in  body,  and  in  soul :  and  not 
only  do  they  contemplate  these  results  in  other 


THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION.       19 

seekers  of  forbidden  joys,  but  their  own  experience 
has  confirmed  what  they  contemplate ;  they  have 
found  "vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit,"  internal 
misery,  loss  of  peace,  and  perhaps  of  character: 
they  have  lived  to  reap  the  disgraceful  conse- 
quences of  sin,  and  are  covered  with  a  cloud. 
They  are  persuaded  also,  when  comparing  the 
present  state  of  believers  with  that  of  the  trans- 
gressor, that  the  saint  possesses  the  real  good ; 
and  the  conscience  is  under  the  full  power  of  con- 
viction so  far  as  this  experience  extends,  according 
to  the  apostle's  words,  "  we  trust  also  we  are  made 
manifest  to  your  consciences,"  2  Cor.  v.  11. 

A  still  further  degree  of  this  conviction  passes 
through  the  sinner,  when  these  influences  are 
attended  with  certain  excitements  in  the  heart, 
and  the  judgment  and  conscience  forcibly  address 
the  affections.  This  is  the  case  when  reflection 
awakens  misgivings  and  heart-sickening  fears ;  the 
sound  of  holy  reasoning  upon  soberness,  temper- 
ance, and  judgment  to  come,  creating  alarms,  and, 
causing  the  soul,  Felix-like,  to  tremble.  Acts  xxiv. 
25.  This  is  frequently  the  case  in  all  ages.  Thus 
men,  under  the  preaching  of  the  word,  will  some- 
times be  pricked  in  the  heart,  that  is,  be  convicted 
by  strong  emotions,  which  give  witness  to  the  force 
and  truth  of  the  condemning  testimony.  Acts  ii.  37. 
Or,  when  they  see  the  judgments  of  God  abroad 
in  the  earth,  or  hear  of  the  impending  woes  that 
are  likely  to  fall  upon  the  guilty  world,  they  are 
filled  with  conscious  terror,  and  dread  the  nearer 


20       THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION. 

approach  of  vengeance.  Or  when  their  mortal 
tabernacle  sickens,  and  they  feel  the  undeniable 
evidence  of  their  own  uncertain  continuance  here, 
they  are  depressed,  anxious,  harassed  in  the  con- 
sciousness of  unpreparedness  for  eternity.  And 
when  the  visitation  of  death  does  really  come,  they 
meet  it  in  awful  dismay :  the  reluctant  soul  is  torn 
from  its  habitation,  and  leaves  it  in  the  midst  of  an 
agonizing  sense  of  the  curse.  It  is  possible,  how- 
ever, that  conviction  of  heart  may  exist  in  a  form 
more  apparently  hopeful  :  as  when,  for  instance, 
the  softer  sounds  of  gospel  fulness  of  mercy  and 
peace,  bid  the  affections  move  to  purposes  of  love : 
the  affecting  details  of  salvation  in  the  blood  and 
merit  of  Jesus,  touching  the  heart,  and  recommend- 
ing the  merciful  author  of  the  blessing.  At  these 
times  God  is  seen  with  glimmerings  of  light  upon 
his  blessed  name  and  nature,  and  he  is  confessed 
to  be  worthy  the  devotion  of  the  whole  heart. 
These  are  influences  not  unfrequently  produced 
by  the  force  of  emphatic  speaking,  or  human  elo- 
quence :  and  whilst  the  strain  is  heard,  every  feel- 
ing seems  held  in  a  sweet  captivity.  Subjects 
already  approved  in  the  judgment  and  conscience, 
now  seem  to  win  upon  the  consent  of  the  affections, 
and  innumerable  resolutions  flutter  round  the  heart, 
and  the  cross  begins  to  have  some  appearance  of 
attraction.  These  are  convictions  in  the  aflections, 
and  answer  to  what  we  read  of  many  of  old. 
Thus  the  man  in  the  gospel  seemed  willing  to  pro- 
fess, saying,  "  Master,  I  will  follow  thee  whither- 


THE   HEART   UNDER   CONVICTION.  21 

soever  thou  goest."  Luke  ix.  58.  And  Agrippa 
could  exclaim,  "  Almost  thou  persuadest  me  to  be 
a  Christian."  Acts  xxvi.  28. 

Thus  we  perceive  how  conviction  may  operate, 
separately  either  upon  judgment,  or  conscience, 
or  feeling,  or  in  the  whole :  and  yet,  as  will  appear 
evident  upon  further  examination,  be  frequently 
distinct  from  conversion.  It  becomes,  however,  a 
very  important  duty,  that  we  endeavour  to  satisfy 
ourselves  as  to  the  origin  of  such  excitements. 

Undoubtedly  they  proceed  from  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Since  fallen  man's  judgment  is  darkness,  his  con- 
science hard  and  unfeeling,  and  his  affections  apos- 
tate, and  cold,  and  dead  :  from  such  a  source  there 
can  be  no  knowledge,  no  conviction,  no  passing 
excitement  towards  God.  And  wq  should  recollect, 
when  investigating  these  subjects,  a  very  important 
part  of  revelation,  which  respects  the  kingdom  of 
Christ.  We  are  taught  by  the  scriptures,  that  all 
influences,  or  manifestations  from  God  to  man,  are 
lost  by  the  fall ;  in  token  of  which  he  was  sent  forth 
from  Eden  into  his  degraded  condition  as  an  outcast 
and  alien.  We  are  taught  that  divine  manifesta- 
tions or  influences  are  only  restored  in  virtue  of 
Christ's  undertaking,  which  places  the  world  under 
a  present  mediatorial  reign,  the  covenant  of  grace 
having  provided  this  interposition  between  the  alien 
and  immediate  ruin,  and  brought  sinners  under  the 
general  advantage  of  a  dispensation  of  forbearance. 
That  in  consequence  of  this  dispensation,  the  Holy 
Ghost  inhabits  the  earth  as  a  witness,  coming  forth 


22  THE    HEART    TJNDEIl    CONVICTION. 

to  testify  of  the  covenant,  and  to  fulfil  his  office  to 
man.  And  thus  it  is  that  he  is  frequently  a  witness 
to  man  in  the  way  we  have  described,  and  as  it  is 
declared  by  our  Lord,  "When  he  is  come  he  will 
convince  the  world ;" — men  in  general,  men  yet  in 
their  state  of  nature.  These  shall  receive  the  con- 
victing evidence  which  shall  justify  and  exalt  Je- 
hovah. John  xvi.  18.  In  all  instances,  therefore, 
such  as  we  have  here  contemplated,  we  are  to 
consider  the  conviction  as  produced  by  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

These  convictions,  however,  are  evidently  not 
always  of  a  saving  character.  We  have  abundant 
examples  in  the  scripture,  of  persons  under  these 
operations,  who  were  destitute  of  true  faith.  Thus, 
for  instance,  Balaam  could  exclaim,  "I  have  sin- 
ned :"  and  yet  more,  could  add  "  Now,  therefore, 
if  it  displease  thee,  I  will  get  me  back  again," 
Numb.  xxii.  34.  Saul  is  heard  to  confess,  "  I  have 
done  foolishly,"  and  under  dread  of  disgrace,  could 
importune  Samuel  saying,  "  Yet  honor  me  now 
before  the  people,"  1  Sam.  xv.  24.  Pharaoh  was 
sensible  of  having  committed  dangerous  provoca- 
tion, and  acknowledged,  "  I  have  sinned  this  time, 
entreat  the  Lord  for  me,"  Exod.  ix.  27.  Judas 
was  full  of  anguish  at  his  horrible  crime,  and  in 
self-condemnation  exclaimed,  "  I  have  betrayed  the 
innocent  blood,"  Matt,  xxvii.  4.  And  the  Jews, 
on  a  certain  occasion,  recorded  in  John  viii.  9,  went 
out  from  the  presence  of  Jesus  one  by  one,  being 
convicted  in  their  consciences.     But  in  all  these 


THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION.       23 

instances,  it  is  manifest,  there  was  only  conviction. 
We  are  also  quite  assured  that  many,  who  are  under 
the  sentence  of  accomplished  ivrath,  are  convictecl. 
Devils  believe  and  tremble,  and  confess  "  Thou 
art  the  Christ."  Men  given  up  to  a  state  of  repro- 
bacy,  believe,  and  carry  within  them  the  ripened 
spirit  of  apostacy,  either  in  deliberate  despair,  or 
daring  controversy  with  their  Judge ;  having  the 
horror  of  conviction  in  a  fearful  looking  for  of 
judgment  to  come,  and  fiery  indignation  which 
shall  devour  the  adversary.  And  all  who  are  finally 
judged  will  carry  with  them  this  abiding  increase 
of  their  torment : — they  shall  be  convicted.  For 
"  he  shall  come  to  execute  judgment  upon  all,  and 
to  convince  ail  that  are  ungodly,  of  all  their  ungodly 
deeds,  which  they  have  ungodly  committed,  and 
of  all  their  hard  speeches  which  ungodly  sinners 
have  spoken  against  him."  Jude  15. 

From  these  considerations,  it  becomes  evident 
that  there  are,  what  we  may  style,  conwion  and 
special  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  as  He  is  a 
Witness ;  so  that  we  cannot  decide  upon  the  state 
of  a  soul  merely  by  conviction.  This  stage  of 
experience  may  be  entered  by  sinners  who  never 
embrace  salvation,  and  therefore  should  not  satisfy 
us  either  for  ourselves  or  others ;  for  although  it  is 
requisite  as  preparatory  for  the  reception  of  further 
revelation,  it  is  not  in  itself  a  decided  evidence  of 
a  regenerate  state.  This  is  strikingly  set  forth  in 
Heb.  vi.  wherein  we  have  a  history  of  very  exten- 
sive operations  known  by  persons  who  never  were 


24       THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTION. 

sanctified,  and  who  consequently  had  not  passed 
from  death  to  Hfe.  We  may  be  enlightened,  we 
may  taste  or  make  experiment  of  the  heavenly  gift, 
or  gospel,  or  good  word  of  God,  or  the  powers  of 
the  world  to  come  ;  we  may  partake  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  as  a  witness,  or  as  the  author  of  gifts ;  yet 
with  all  this  we  may  yet  be  as  the  earth,  still  bring- 
ing forth  briars  and  thorns ;  and  eventually  falling 
away  even  from  our  convictions  or  profession  ;  see- 
ing that  even  during  the  period  in  which  we  pos- 
sessed this  dispensation  of  the  Spirit  we  were 
unchanged  in  character,  nigh  unto  cursing,  and 
tending  to  the  end  of  all  unregenerate  souls ;  see 
Heb.  vi.  4—8. 

This  subject  should  be  exceedingly  interesting 
to  us  as  an  assistant  in  searching  our  own  heart. 
It  should  excite  us  to  discrimination  when  judging 
of  the  condition  in  which  we  stand  at  this  moment 
before  God  ;  and  we  should  be  aware  of  the  peril 
which  surrounds  us,  if  we  are  disposed  to  speak 
comfortably  to  ourselves,  merely  on  the  supposition 
that  because  we  are  not  quite  so  ignorant,  so  easy, 
or  so  unfeeling  as  we  once  were,  our  prospect 
therefore  is  bright.  Thus  far  indeed  it  may  be 
hopeful ;  but  much  more  is  necessary  ere  we  can 
pronounce  it  safe. 

In  the  first  place,  however,  we  must  endeavour 
to  ascertain  whether  even  we  have  conviction  as 
thus  extensively  understood.  It  should  be  no  sur- 
prising question,  Do  we  believe  the  prophets?  Do 
we  come  to  the  scripture  testimony  as  truth,  so 


THE    HEA^RT    UNDER    CONVICTION.  25 

that  we  are  practically  giving  demonstration  that 
our  judgment  is  convinced  ?     Alas  !  in  too  many 
instances,  where  by  the  lip  confession  is  made,  and 
the  word  of  God  is  received  in  customary  acknow- 
ledgement of  its  divine  origin,  there  is  an  indisputa- 
ble manifestation  o^  infidelity  in  the  heart  and  mind. 
Witness    the    irreverence,    the    bold    speculative 
curiosity,  the  unchecked  career  of  vice,  the  indul- 
gence  of  desires  and  passions   forbidden  by  the 
word,  the  cold  unconcern  in  which  the  terrible  or 
gracious  truths  of  scripture   are  heard,  yea  some- 
times scarcely  heard !     Dispositions    so  conspicu- 
ously attendant  upon  those  who  yissemh\e prof essedly 
to   hear    the    truth,  that  we   are    constrained   to 
acknowledge  the  propriety  of  the  question,  "  Do  I 
really  possess  a  convinced  mind  on  these  important 
points  ?"     Am  I  quite  sure  that  I    am  hasting  to 
eternal  misery  or  eternal  joy  ?  that  before  me  there 
are  two  wide   extremes  :  that  in  a  few  years  at 
most,  and  possibly  this  very  night,  I  may  be  called 
to  an  abode  from  which  there  is  no  return  ;  and 
that  judgment  awaits  me  according  to  God's  unde- 
viating  rule  ;  and  that  without  an  interest  in  Christ 
I  am  lost  for  ever  ?    Alas  1  even  with  saints  there  is 
frequently  a  want  of  excitement  such  as  these  sub- 
jects demand  ;  and  therefore  the  enquiry  may  well 
be  urged  upon  the  generality  of  worshippers. 

Let  us  also  ask  whether  we  are  experimentally 
acquainted  with  the  seizure  of  conscience  and 
feelings  so  far  as  described,  having  felt  the  misery 
of  sin,  and  knowing  that  God's  children  alone  are 

4 


26       THE  HEART  UNDER  CONVICTIOX. 

happy.  No  doubt  some  who  read  these  Hnes  have 
experienced  all  these  influences  from  time  to  time  : 
and  it  is  a  privilege  if  we  are  able  to  ascertain  the 
fact :  much  is  it  to  be  preferred  to  the  wretched 
condition  of  avowed  infidelity,  and  to  the  destruct- 
ive reign  of  a  fatal  stupor  :  and  most  miserable  are 
they  amongst  us  who  are  still  so  infatuated  and 
hardened  by  the  power  of  their  native  apostacy,  as 
not  to  have  known  even  this  degree  of  excitement. 
But  let  the  friendly  voice  of  warning  be  heard  ;  let 
us  consider  how  increasingly  responsible  to  God  we 
become  by  every  movement  which  agitates  the 
conscience  or  heart,  and  that,  if  after  these  influ- 
ences we  remain  in  estrangement  and  indecision, 
we  are  increasing  our  condemnation ;  because 
thereby  we  evince  our  "preference  for  a  state  of 
alienation,  our  greater  love  of  earth,  and  of  carnal 
delights  than  of  those  which  the  gospel  proposes ; 
and  that  notwithstanding  so  many  powerful  motives 
to  the  contrary,  we  deliberately  make  choice  of 
evil.  This  is  a  provocation  which  usually  conducts 
to  a  state  of  reprobacy,  for  it  is  an  insult  to  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  direct  rebellion  under  most  aggravating 
circumstances.  And  it  is  also  the  high  road  to  an 
awful  measure  of  misery  ;  for  sooner  or  later  this 
sin  will  find  out  the  sinner  ;  and  abused  opportuni- 
ties and  resisted  convictions  produce  a  never  dying 
worm. 

Here  we  will  close  our  present  investigation, 
leaving  it  as  a  solemn  charge  upon  our  souls,  that 
we  dismiss  not  the  reflections  that  are  suggested^ 


THE    HEART    UNDER    CONVICTION.  27 

without  seeking  a  suitable  improvement.  This  may- 
be done  by  combining  sacred  awe  with  a  tribute  of 
gratitude.  We  have  just  reason  to  be  thankful  if 
we  are  awakened  to  self-distrust :  we  have  greater 
reason  for  thankfulness  if  we  are  delivered  from 
our  former  state  of  insensibility  :  we  should  contrast 
our  present  feelings  with  what  we  once  were  whilst 
wholly  unmoved  by  truth.  It  is  a  mercy  that  we 
are  not  openly  infidel,  and  living  in  avowed  defiance 
of  Jehovah.  It  is  a  mercy  that  we  know  in  some 
degree  what  is  truth,  so  that  we  are  not  tossed  to 
and  fro,  or  carried  away  by  winds  of  doctrine.  It 
is  a  mercy  that  we  believe  the  promise  and  the 
threat,  knowing  that  there  is  substance  in  them. 
Pangs  of  conscience  also  are  mercies :  they  are 
preferable  to  a  conscience  that  is  seared.  Meltings 
of  feeling  are  mercies  :  better  than  the  obduracy  of 
a  rocky  heart.  In  these  we  should  be  thankful,  and 
demonstrate  our  sense  of  the  goodness  that  has  been 
extended  in  them,  by  prosecuting  the  way  of  hear- 
ing, reading,  and  self-examination,  and  by  fostering 
their  influences  in  the  use  of  all  appointed  means. 
Above  all,  praying  for  the  special  grace  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  looking  to  him  for  an  effectual  call,  and  acting 
as  rational  and  responsible  creatures,  correspond- 
entli/  with  the  conviction  that  pervades  our  mind. 


THE  DIVIDING  OF  THE  HEART. 

HOSEA    X.    2. 

We  have  advanced  so  far  with  this  course  of  sub- 
jects, as  to  have  before  us  the  scripture  account  of 
man's  fallen  condition  as  corrupt  in  heart :  and  the 
powerful  degree  to  which,  in  his  yet  unconverted 
state,  he  is  capable  of  being  convicted,  his  judg- 
ment and  conscience  having  received  light,  and 
these  having  addressed  and  excited  his  natural  feel- 
ings. Our  object  must  now  be  to  follow  this  view, 
with  an  examination  into  the  effects  which  are 
frequently  produced  by  these  convictions.  Facul- 
ties thus  far  awakened  will  usually  proceed  to  make 
an  appeal  to  the  will :  they  invite  the  sinner  to 
determine  on  the  side  of  truth,  and  to  make  a 
corresponding  surrender  of  himself,  urging  upon 
him  those  considerations,  which  he  now  admits  to 
be  of  substantial  and  awful  import,  and  to  make 
him  willing  to  choose  the  good. 

It  is  undeniable  that  appeals  such  as  these  are 
visibly  silenced  and  neglected  by  thousands  of  our 
fellow  creatures,  and  that  notwithstanding  all  the 
arguments,  justly  presented  and  well  founded,  with 
which  the  claimants  enforce  their  counsel,  man 
remains  in  his   unchanged  and  natural  alienation 


THE    DIVIDING    OF   THE    HEART.  29 

from  God.  But  this  is  sometimes  attended  with 
very  plausible  appearances,  by  which  self-deception 
is  practised.  Therefore  we  should  endeavour  to 
penetrate  into  the  secret  condition  of  such  persons, 
and  examine  the  nature  of  that  miserable  indecision 
of  soul  by  which  they  are  ruined,  lest  any  of  us  be 
deceived  by  the  same  destructive  reasonings.  For 
this  purpose  let  us  select  a  few  instances  wherein  we 
may  discover,  and  present  to  our  close  observation, 
the  secret  workings  of  that  fatal  leaven,  which,  in 
these  characters,  will  generally  produce  what  we 
may  call  a  divided  heart. 

In  the  first  place  it  must  be  observed,  that  per- 
sons convicted  in  judgment,  conscience  and  feeling 
are  usually  brought  to  acknowledge,  that  a  personal 
surrender  to  the  forcible  truths  they  admit  is 
required,  and  would  be  wise.  This  inward  ac- 
knowledgment, existing  in  the  midst  of  an  uncon- 
verted heart,  meets  with  much  to  debase  its  quality, 
and  to  impede  its  action.  One  of  the  first  attempts, 
therefore,  which  the  sinner  makes,  on  these  occa- 
sions, is  to  reason  himself  into  a  belief,  that  he  can 
answer  the  obligation  in  such  a  way  as  shall  exempt 
him  from  inconvenience  ;  in  short,  that  it  is  quite 
possible  so  to  serve  God,  as  not  to  break  his  league 
with  the  world.  Under  this  notion,  his  object  is  to 
reconcile  the  service  o^tivo  7nasters,Chr\st  and  Belial. 

This  design  originates  in  awakened  and  convinced 
faculties.  The  sinner  is,  as  we  have  shewn,  con- 
vinced of  the  superiority  of  the  Christian's  posses- 
sions :  he  believes  what  is  promised  to  the  saints 
4* 


30  THE    DIVIDING    OP   THE    HEART. 

of  deliverance  in  trial,  security  in  death,  a  kingdom 
of  glory  and  everlasting  rest.     He  is  not  disposed 
to  relinquish  the   hope  of  sharing  in  these  distinc- 
tions :  he  would  be  supported,  received,  and  have 
peace  at  last,  and,  Balaam-like,  expresses  his  pass- 
ing desire,  "  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous." 
Being  equally  persuaded  of  the  misery  that  awaits 
the  impenitent,  he  has  also  on  this  ground  strong 
excitement :  he  does  not  like  deliberately  to  meet 
the   dreadful  evils   denounced  upon   sinners,   and 
when  he  thinks  of  trial,  death,  and  future  scenes, 
he,  like  Ahab,  would  "  put  on  sackcloth  and  walk 
softly."     Therefore  he  would   seem  to  accept  the 
remonstrance,  and  meet  the  invitations  of  truth, 
and  wishes  to  be  accounted  amongst  the  number  of 
those   who   enlist  themselves   in   the    service    of 
the  most  High.     In  this  way  he  hopes  to   escape 
divine  judgments,  and  that  God  will  count  him  for 
a  friend.     He  hopes  that  he  shall  hereby  evade  the 
denunciations  and  reproofs  of  ministers,  and  that 
his  soul  shall  be  left  untroubled,  and  that  at  least 
some  of  the  Christian  privileges  may  be  tasted  by 
him.     Thus,  in  the  spirit  of  the  Jews  of  old,  he 
flatters  himself  in  his  own  eyes  ;  and  even  when 
hearing  the  denunciations  which  condemn  his  soul, 
like  them,  he  confidently  exclaims,  "  God  forbid." 
Luke  XX.  16. 

There  are  also  other  powerful  considerations, 
which  bring  in  their  arguments  on  the  side  of  the 
world,  and  this  Master  is  in  his  turn  listened  to  with 
attention.      It  is  certain  that  if  the  sinner  break 


THE    DIVIDING    OF    THE   HEART.  31 

from  his  yoke,  he  will  immediately  become 
liable  to  the  rage  of  his  old  master.  Persecution 
and  scorn  are  the  lot  of  saints.  This  is  a  heritage, 
the  very  .thought  of  which  blights  all  his  purposes 
towards  God :  he  cannot  endure  to  meet  the  evil 
which  a  bold  separation  from  the  world  might 
produce.  Besides  all  this,  there  are  private  feel- 
ings yet  more  powerful :  the  affections  are  closely 
entwined  round  earthly  objects,  creatures  possess 
the  heart,  and  some  favourite  idol  possibly  consti- 
tutes the  very  life  of  enjoyment  to  the  soul.  To 
disentangle  the  thoughts  from  these,  to  rend  away 
the  entwined  affections,  and  quit  the  loved  hold 
upon  what  has  hitherto  been  so  dear  ;  instead  of 
smiles  to  meet  their  frowns  ;  instead  of  tenderness 
to  have  to  contend  with  reproof; — this  is  intolerable 
to  the  mind,  and  the  whole  bosom  is  convulsed  by 
the  thought.  In  addition  to  this,  there  is  still  a 
charm  of  an  irresistible  kind  in  the  gay  circle  of 
worldly  pleasures,  and  many  enjoyments  which 
seem  to  smile  and  court  the  sinner,  asking  him  to 
seize  the  passing  joy.  And  must  he  relinquish  all 
these  ?  and  turn  away  from  paths  where  flowers 
spread  their  carpet  for  the  feet,  and  choose  in 
preference  a  thorny  way  X  this  is  abhorrent  to  the 
flesh! 

These  feelings  lead  to  a  yet  more  confirmed 
resolution  of  endeavouring  to  unite  the  two  services : 
and,  therefore,  along  with  an  appearance  of  unison 
with  the  saints,  he  would  seem  to  be  upon  the  same 
friendly  terms  with  the  world  as  heretofore.     He 


32  THE    DIVIDING    OF    THE    HEART. 

will  not  obtrude  his  convictions  upon  the  company 
with  whom  he  associates,  he  has  no  objection  that 
it  should  be  thought  he  likes  the  company  of  saints, 
owns  them,  and  occasionally  seeks  thein.  The 
world  may  know  that  he  has  pleasure  in  hearing 
religious  discussions  ;  that  he  is  rational  enough  to 
have  some  thought  about  his  soul.  But  he  gives  it 
to  be  understood,  that  in  so  doing,  he  by  no  means 
intends  to  separate,  or  condemn  the  world,  or  the 
opinion  of  others.  He  boasts  of  liberality,  and  that,. 
in  this  disposition,  he  considers  every  man  has  a 
right  to  judge  for  himself  He  occasionally  accepts 
the  invitations  which  call  him  to  join  the  party  of 
pleasure,  and  tastes  the  joys  of  earth,  and  can 
very  conveniently  hide  the  diiference  of  sentiment 
that  exists,  and  conceal  his  own  views  as  expedi- 
ency may  suggest. 

But  such  an  infatuated  course  is  not  pursued 
without  accompanying  inw^ard  rebuke :  judgment, 
conscience,  and  feeling,  are  not  satisfied  by  such 
lying  refuges.  Wherefore,  in  order  to  answer  the 
remonstrances  which  arise,  recourse  is  had  to  subtle 
reasonings.  It  is  pretended  that  the  evils  incident 
to  serious  Christians,  are  not  for  their  religion,  but 
for  their  imprudence ;  that  they  are  not  cautious, 
not  judicious,  are  too  scrupulous,  and  give  unneces- 
sary offence.  That  the  world  is  not  so  very  evil  as 
it  is  represented,  that  if  let  alone,  it  would  not 
molest  the  saint,  that  if  entered  with  care  it  would 
not  defile,  and  that  in  fact,  God  is  not  so  severe  as 
really  to  intend  to  condemn  so  many  thousands  of  his, 


THE    DIVIDING    OF    THE    HEART.  33 

creatures   as   he  must  do,  were  the  sentiments  of 
some  believers  quite  correct. 

'Thus  miserable  man  is  industrious  to  serve  his 
own  delusions,  argues  himself  into  false  security, 
and  is  contented  to  remain  with  a  divided  heart. 

But  it  is  not  always  thus.  There  are  some  who 
do  not  reason  upon  such  principles.  The  force  of 
conviction  presents  such  a  view  of  truth,  that  they 
are  quite  persuaded  the  world  must  be  renounced. 
In  consequence,  they  profess  religion  decidedly. 
They  give  up  all  worldly  associations,  abstain  from 
all  mixtare,  no  more  frequent  the  assembly,  the  race, 
the  scene  of  dissipation  ;  the  gay  circle  has  lost  this 
associate.  No  concessions  are  ever  heard,  the  life 
with  steady  severity  testifies  against  the  world,  and 
boldly  advocates  the  scripture  doctrines.  No  out- 
ward duty  is  omitted,  sabbaths,  saci'aments,  reli- 
gious meetings,  all  receive  their  regular  attendance 
and  honour  ;  and  thus  far  the  character  and  profes- 
sion appear  to  be  determined.  Nevertheless  there 
is  not  decision  of  heart.  There  is  not  a  correspond- 
ent inward  surrender.  All  thisexterior  of  devotion 
may  subsist  in  persons  whose  interior  is  still  under 
captivity  to  God's  enemies.  A  favourite  idol  is 
reserved,  and  although  so  great  as  to  eclipse  the 
law,  the  gospel,  and  eternity  itself,  it  is  called  a 
little  one.  Tempers  and  passions  remain  unmorti- 
fied,  and  instead  of  being  abhorred,  are  palliated 
under  the  pretence  that  they  are  constitutional  in- 
firmities, and  although  lamentable,  that  they  are  to 
be  considered  excusable ;  especially  when  counter- 


34 


THE    DIVIDING    OF    THE    HEAKT. 


balanced  by  so  much  zeal  and  scrupulous  atten- 
tion to  other  matters.  By  these  a  divided  heart 
is  not  only  allowed,  but  justified  :  and  like  Jehu, 
they  present  some  particular  act  or  work  foremost 
for  observation,  trusting  that  this  will  secure  the 
character  at  which  they  aim.     2  Kings  x.  31. 

We  may  mention  another  example  of  this  ruin- 
ous division,  too  prevalent  with  many  whose  exter- 
nal profession  would  promise  better  things.  They 
are  divided  in  heart  in  respect  of  the  refuge,  they 
make  to  themselves.  Docirinally  they  are  con- 
vinced of  the  truth,  and  know  that  there  is  no 
refuge  but  God,  and  none  like  him.  He  only  is 
powerful,  He  only  is  true  !  In  this  respect  they  can 
speak  the  language  of  saints,  and  say,  "  Where  is  a 
refuge  like  our  God."  Yet  they  practically  admit 
thousands  to  an  equal  if  not  to  a  greater  measure 
of  their  confidence.  Thus  for  instance  they  look 
for  Justification,  knowing  that  this  is  a  state  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  salvation  ;  but  in  seeking  it  they 
lose  sight  of  their  own  doctrinal  knowledge  ;  and 
instead  of  putting  on  the  righteousness  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  alone,  they  invent  for  themselves  a  garment 
woven  of  unscriptural  materials,  half  of  the  Surety's 
work,  and  half  of  their  own  ;  py-ofessedhj  trusting  in 
the  merits  of  the  Lord  Christ,  but  practically  ad- 
hering to  their  oi«/?,  they  look  ^ov pardon!  This 
they  are  persuaded  must  be  extended  to  them  if 
ever  they  find  acceptance  before  God.  Convicted 
in  their  conscience  and  convinced  in  their  judgment 
also  of  their  need  and  of  the  covenant  provision, 


THE    DIVIDING    OF    THE    HEART.  35 

they  profess  to  approach  the  opened  Fountain  in 
Jesus'  blood;  but  when  drawing  near  they  cast  into 
it  certain  ingredients  of  their  own  providing — liieir 
own  tears,  and  penitence,  and  vows ;  these  they 
expect  will  give  virtue  to  the  blood,  and  render  it 
available  to  them  :  thus  they  mix  their  expectations 
— part  from  the  sacrifice  on  the  cross,  and  part 
from  the  worthiness  of  their  own  humiliation  before 
God. 

They  look  for  victory  !  A  convinced  judgment 
has  persuaded  them  that  the  church  of  Christ  is  to 
be  triumphant,  and  that  his  people  are  to  conquer 
their  spiritual  foes.  They  call  for  divine  strength, 
profess  to  expect  their  triumphs  through  the  Om- 
nipotence of  the  Lord,  and  loudly  protest  against 
any  other  dependence.  Nevertheless  they  practi- 
cally deny  their  own  profession,  expect  much  from 
their  own  native  energy,  virtue,  foresight,  skill ; 
look  to  the  several  resources  which  they  have 
devised  in  the  vs'orld,  trust  to  their  friends  and 
allies,  and  go  down  into  Egypt  for  help. 

They  profess  to  be  waiting  for  providential  di- 
rection in  their  paths,  disclaim  all  pretension  to  an 
ability  whereby  they  can  decide  for  themselves, 
ask  counsel  both  of  God  and  of  his  people,  and 
wear  the  semblance  of  simplicity;  whereas  already 
they  have  arranged  their  own  plans,  determined 
upon  the  steps  they  mean  to  take,  and  ask  direc- 
tion only  in  the  hope  that  the  result  will  tend  to 
confirm    their    determination,    and    afford    them 


36  THE    DIVIDING    OF    THE    HEART. 

greater  liberty  in  pursuing  the  dictates  of  their 
own  hearts. 

In  deliverances  they  talk  much  of  the  divine 
faithfulness,  appear  to  be  intent  upon  proclaiming 
the  truth  of  God,  and  extol  his  interposing  mercy ; 
at  the  same  time  that  they  are  manifestly  thinking 
with  great  complacency  upon  the  success  which 
has  attended  their  well  concerted  measures :  and 
intermix  their  praises  of  God  with  certain  obser- 
vations respecting  their  own  proceedings,  clearly 
demonstrating  that  their  chief  sacrifice  of  praise  is 
proffered  to  themselves. 

These  are  very  common  instances  of  the  perilous 
condition  we  are  now  investigating,  and  come  into 
the  number  of  cases  wherein  a  divided  heart  is 
prevalent. 

The  visible  demonstration  of  this  state  is  very 
affecting  to  such  as  understand  spiritual  subjects, 
and  know  the  value  of  an  immortal  soul.  Alas  I 
the  course  of  such  persons  is  full  of  the  most  dis- 
graceful and  condemning  instability,  being  governed 
according  to  the  particular  interest  which  prevails 
at  the  time  of  action,  and  perpetually  fluctuating 
and  variable.  Thus  we  see  them  exhibiting  alter- 
nately the  spirit  of  vanity  or  reflection,  of  levity  or 
sedateness ;  sometimes  full  of  spiritual  subjects  of 
converse,  at  others,  with  equal  avidity,  discussing 
the  topics  of  the  world.  Sometimes  we  behold 
them  in  the  sanctuary,  praying,  hearing,  raising  the 
hymn,  and  apparently  filled  with  sacred  excite- 
ment.    Again  we  see  them  in  their  former  haunts 


THE    DIVIDING    OF   THE    HEART.  37 

of  pleasure  silting  in  the  assembly  of  sinners,  loud 
in  their  gaiety,  and  in  some  melancholy  instances 
even  laughing  at  the  seriousness  which  a  little 
before  pervaded  their  breast.  In  experience  they 
are  of  course  equally  unstable  ;  sometimes  joyous, 
at  others  miserable :  awhile  full  of  hope,  again 
sunk  in  despondency ;  just  as  the  jit  of  feeling 
prevails. 

This  is  a  lamentable  and  a  miserable  condition 
of  soul.  In  respect  of  this  world  it  is  folly  and 
woe,  for  such  persons  never  have  peace  or  happi- 
ness with  either  master.  The  service  of  each  is 
attended  with  alloys,  and  the  sense  of  dissatisfac- 
tion. There  is  no  honour  before  either.  Even 
the  world  will  despise  such  a  servant,  and,  whilst 
wearing  the  smile  of  courtesy  in  the  presence  of 
the  sinner,  ridicules  and  speaks  evil  of  him  in  his 
absence.  This  insincerity  and  inconsistency  are 
apparent  and  become  topics  of  conversation,  and 
the  worldling  disdains  him  as  a  hypocrite.  Before 
Christ  he  appears  in  a  character  utterly  degraded 
and  contemned.  His  subterfuges  are  all  read  by 
his  omniscient  eye,  and  his  false  reasonings  are  all 
exposed  in  their  very  spring.  His  services  are 
rejected,  and  he  is  placed  under  the  sentence  of 
condemnation,  for  Christ  has  declared  "  he  that  is 
not  with  me  is  against  me."  Thus  the  wretched 
soul  after  all  its  vain  devices  and  temporary  reso- 
lutions and  occasional  sacrifices  is  destitute  of 
salvation,  for  it  is  not  converted,  and,  except  we  be 
converted,  we  cannot  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
5 


38  THE    DIVIDING    OF   THE    HEART. 

This  indecision  could  not  remain  if  the  will  had 
accepted  the  appeal  which  convicted  faculties  pre- 
sented before  it.  Whatever  may  be  the  flattering 
appearance  which  we  assume  to  ourselves,  the 
truth  is,  that  the  citadel  is  as  firmly  the  property  oif 
Satan  as  if  we  had  never  experienced  any  emotion 
upon  the  subject  of  religion.  And  we  are  still 
with  affections  that  are  estranged  from  God,  with 
love  of  self  in  unsanctified  supremacy  within,  and 
with  all  our  native  distaste  to  Christ  and  his  cross. 
The  evil  of  such  a  state  should  be  understood : 
it  is  so  in  respect  of  our  own  most  sacred  interests, 
and  as  it  is  opposed  to  the  will  of  God.  If  we  are 
living  under  its  influence  we  should  be  induced  to 
examine  its  source  and  its  issue.  It  proceeds  from 
the  vilest  condition  of  apostacy  from  all  that  is 
good,  and  it  will  conduct  into  irremediable  ruin 
when  our  transitory  life  is  closed.  Surely  there- 
fore we  should  be  sensible  of  our  own  duty  as 
rational  creatures,  and  under  a  just  sense  of  our 
danger  be  willing  to  ask  for  the  operations  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  in  his  saving  grace.  He  it  is  who 
brings  the  sinner  into  liberty,  he  it  is  who  has 
power  to  establish  the  soul  in  its  deliverance  from 
sin.  To  him  our  cry  should  ascend,  that  he  would 
vouchsafe  to  save  us  from  the  wavering  of  an 
unsettled  mind,  and  from  the  delusions  of  a  divided 
heart.  Whilst  to  such  as  have  already  received 
this  deciding  grace  from  above,  the  thought  of 
man's  native  disinclination  to  the  cross,  and  the 
retrospect  of  past  indecision  which  probably  now 


THE    DIVIDING    OF    THE   HEART.  39 

returns  upon  the  eye,  should  awaken  the  propor- 
tion of  praise  which  the  Lord  demands ;  so  Hke- 
wise  should  we  each  be  vigilant,  ever  watching 
against  the  native  propensity  of  the  heart  to  start 
aside,  and  striving  to  maintain  an  unquestionable 
evidence  of  an  entire  surrender  of  body,  soul,  and 
spirit  to  the  Lord. 


THE   HEART'S    DECISION. 

Romans  vii.  18. 

We  have  now  to  enter  into  a  view  of  the  heart  of 
man  which  is  calculated  to  awaken  more  pleasur- 
able feeling  than  our  late  investigation  has  afforded, 
if  only  we  are  privileged  by  the  blessed  witness  of 
the  Spirit,  to  discover  that  our  own  affections  are 
in  this  view  placed  before  us.  We  pass  from  the 
wretched  object  of  a  divided  heart,  and  turn  to 
what  in  some  blessed  instances  succeeds,  fixed 
principle,  or  upright  determination  on  the  Lord's 
side.  We  must  however  connect  the  whole,  as 
belonging  to  different  stages  of  experience  in  a 
sinner's  state,  and  remember  how  we  last  consid- 
ered the  forcible  appeal  made  by  judgment,  con- 
science, and  feeling  to  the  faculty  of  the  loill ;  and 
also  the  subtlety  in  which  corrupt  affections  con- 
tinue to  keep  this  faculty  in  bondage,  putting  it 
upon  deceitful  devices,  to  satisfy  the  infatuated  soul 
with  something  short  of  the  saving  profession  of 
Christ :  and  now  consider  the  effectual  address  by 
which  the  will  is  made  a  captive  to  the  voice  of 
truth. 

In  the  first  place  we  must  determine  what  the 
will  is,  endeavouring  to  understand  its  true  nature 


THE    heart's    decision.  41 

and  use  ;  for  on  this  just  views  in  religion  much 
depend. 

The  will  is  a  faculty  of  the  soul  of  man  belong- 
ing to  his  original  constitution  as  God's  creature, 
and  bestowed  upon  him  in  order  to  empower  him 
to  choose  or  reject,  and  so  to  act  in  all  things  as 
a  free  agent.  This  necessarily  belongs  to  a  just 
idea  of  a  rational  being.  Man  is  not  as  the  brutes 
without  intelligence,  or  as  a  stone  or  clod  of  the 
earth  without  power  of  action,  but  can  deliberate, 
judge,  determine  for  himself  Neither  can  we  have 
just  views  of  the  divine  requirement  but  as  we  take 
into  consideration  this  faculty  of  man,  for  God  does 
not  call  for  an  irrational,  forced,  or  reluctant  obedi- 
ence, but  for  rational,  voluntary,  and  cheerful  com- 
pliance with  his  voice. 

We  must  consequently  always  consider  man's 
will  to  be  free,  that  is,  that  it  does  not  act  from 
any  violence  laid  upon  it  so  as  to  drag  it  into  what 
it  disapproves;  otherwise  it  ceases  to  be  Im  will; 
for  a  man  that  is  constrained  to  do  any  act  against 
his  own  inclination  can  never  be  said  to  do  it  with 
his  will. 

During  man's  stale  of  innocency  when  his  qfec- 
tions  were  the  Lord's,  of  course  the  will  was  holy, 
and  in  perfect  agreement  with  God's  mind:  it 
was  directed  by  holy  desires,  and  would  determine 
on  the  side  of  good,  freely  serving  a  heavenly 
Father. 

Since  man's  state  of  apostacy  the  will  is  corrupt, 
and  in  allegiance  with  Satan;  it  is  directed  by 
5* 


42  THE  heart's  decision. 

depraved  affections,  and  determines  on  the  side  of 
evil,  freely  serving  the  powers  of  darkness  and 
death. 

The  nature  of  this  faculty  is  not  changed ;  this 
is  impossible  ;  wherefore  whatever  a  man  freely 
does  he  does  with  his  will,  w  hether  serving  Christ, 
or  corruption.  As  the  Apostle  clearly  argues, 
"  Know  ye  not  that  to  whom  ye  yield  yourselves 
servants  to  obey,  his  servants  ye  are  to  whom  ye 
obey  ;  whether  of  sin  unto  death,  or  of  obedience 
unto  righteousness."     Rom.  vi.  16. 

When  man  is  the  subject  of  grace  and  created 
anew,  the  will  is  not  changed  as  to  its  free  charac- 
ter. The  Lord  does  not  force  his  people  as  slaves, 
but  sweetly  constrains  them  by  love ;  so  that  this 
faculty  is  brought  under  the  direction  of  new  affec- 
tions ;  and  the  creature  is  thus  restored  to  its  right- 
ful allegiance,  loving  what  is  good  and  determining 
in  its  favour. 

According  to  this  explanation  of  the  will,  it  is  to 
be  observed  how  this  faculty  is  always  addressed, 
whether  the  sinner  be  solicited  by  temptation  to 
sin,  or  urged  by  gospel  overtures  to  obedience. 
Thus  Joshua  exhorted  the  people  on  the  ground  of 
their  responsibility  as  rational  creatures  having  a 
will,  "  Choose  ye  this  day  whom  ye  will  serve." 
Josh.  xxiv.  15.  So  again  the  prophet,  "  If  ye  be 
willing  and  obedient  ye  shall  eat  the  good  of  the 
land.  But  if  ye  refuse  and  rebel  ye  shall  be 
devoured."  Isaiah  i.  19.  And  our  Lord  represents 
himself  as  standing  at  the  door,  that  if  any  man 


THE    HEART  S    DECISION.  43 

be  found  willing  to  open  the  door  he  may  enter 
in.  Rev.  iii.  20.  And  when  testifying  of  the 
gospel  of  salvation  to  sinners,  causing  it  to  be 
proclaimed  from  age  to  age.  "  Whosoever  loill^ 
let  him  come  and  take  of  the  water  of  life  fi-eely." 
Rev.  xxii. 

This  mode  of  address  corresponds  with  the 
character  of  man  as  an  intelligent  being;  and  it 
reminds  us  of  this  fact,  that  whatever  may  be  the 
degree  of  excitement  prevailing  upon  the  other 
faculties  of  his  soul,  nothing  is  really  obtained  in 
favour  of  the  faith  until  this  deterinining  power  is 
gained  ;  for  it  is  the  strong  hold  and  main  seat  of 
government  whether  of  Satan  or  of  Christ.  And 
by  consulting  the  Scriptures  we  shall  be  further 
convinced,  that  as  it  respects  the  sinner's  rejection 
of  the  gospel,  or  his  continuance  in  sin,  the  defect 
lies  in  this  faculty.  Thus  it  is  declared  by  our 
Lord,  "  Ye  will  not  come  unto  me  that  ye  might 
have  life."  A  truth,  which  no  doubt  he  intended 
to  convey  in  respect  of  spiritual  interests,  when 
he  so  remarkably  addressed  the  impotent  man, 
saying,  "  Wilt  thou  be  made  whole  ?"  John  v.  6. 
There  could  be  no  doubt  of  his  readiness  to 
receive  the  bodily  cure,  but  Jesus  designed  some- 
thing more  than  this  ;  and  probably  the  man 
afterwards  understood  the  force  of  this  inquiry. 
In  a  similar  strain  the  Holy  Spirit  addresses 
Israel,  "  Wilt  thou  not  be  made  clean  ?"  Jer. 
xiii.  27.  "  Wilt  thou  not  from  this  time  cry  unto 
me  ?"     Jer.  iii.  4. 


44  THE  heart's  decision. 

Addresses  of  this  description,  however,  whilst 
they  suit  the  condition  of  man  as  a  responsible 
creature,  serve  to  demonstrate  the  extent  of  that 
creature's  fall ;  in  every  instance  being  accompanied 
by  results,  which  develope  man's  obstinate  prefer- 
ence of  evil  and  his  determined  league  with  hell. 
And  herein  we  have  a  display  of  divine  wisdom 
which  demands  our  attention.  Vain  man  is  intent 
upon  justifying  himself  even  in  the  course  of  rebel- 
lion which  he  pursues.  And  although  he  will  in 
some  instances  admit  that  his  paths  are  destruction 
to  himself,  he  will  pretend  that  a  kind  of  necessity 
is  laid  upon  him  to  remain  in  his  course  of  ruin. 
He  argues  that  he  is  willing  to  be  a  better  creature, 
but  that  he  has  no  power :  he  takes  up  the  doctrines 
of  grace  as  an  excuse  for  his  transgression,  and 
replies  to  the  remonstrances  which  meet  him  in  the 
way,  "  O,  I  am  not  an  elect  one,  and  therefore  it  is 
unnecessary  for  me  to  trouble  myself,  by  vain 
endeavours  to  be  better  in  my  state." 

And  how  does  he  know  that  he  is  not  an  elect 
one?  Has  he  pried  into  God's  secret  counsels? 
has  he  read  the  book  of  life,  and  seen  what  names 
are  written  there  ?  How  does  he  know  that  his  own 
does  not  stand  deeply  engraven  upon  Jesus'  breast  ? 
True  and  glorious  as  are  the  doctrines  by  which 
Jehovah  has  secured  the  glory  of  Christ  in  a  people 
that  shall  be  the  reward  of  the  travail  of  his  soul, 
yet  he  has  not  divulged  the  secret  of  who  are 
amongst  these,  save  as  they  are  continually  brought 
out  from  a  state  of  death,  and  united  to  the  living 


THE  heart's  decision.  45 

head  by  faith.  His  overtures  are  in  general  terms, 
leaving  man  with  the  weight  of  his  own  condemna- 
tion on  his  own  head,  and  proving  beyond  controversy 
that  the  sinner's  pretence  of  wilHngness  is  insincere, 
for  he  has  every  thing  to  encourage  him  to  make  an 
appeal  if  indeed  he  were  wilHng ;  and  unquestion- 
ably he  would  make  the  appeal,  were  he  willing  to 
experience  the  blessedness  of  serving  the  Lord. 
Addresses  made  to  man's  will  are  therefore  excel- 
lent methods  whereby  to  detect  man's  apostacy, 
and  his  deliberate  preference  of  his  native  estrange- 
ment from  the  Lord.  On  this  ground  Jehovah 
shews  that  he  will  judge  and  righteously  condemn 
the  sinner.  "  When  I  called  ye  did  not  answer, 
when  I  spake  ye  did  not  hear,  but  did  evil  before 
mine  eyes,  and  did  choose  that  wherein  I  delighted 
not."     Isaiah  Ixv.  12.     Prov'.  i.  23—26. 

There  is  also  another  advantage  obtained  by  this 
mode  of  address.  We  are  not  only  insincere,  and 
so  capable  of  arguing  as  we  have  stated,  but 
we  are  self-confident  and  presumptuous,  so  that 
in  many  instances,  men  will  reason  in  a  com- 
pletely different  strain  from  that  of  the  persons  we 
have  described.  They  will  argue  that  whenever 
thei/  please  they  can  turn  to  the  Lord,  for  that  the 
faculty  of  their  will  being  free,  they  have  an  open 
way  to  escape  from  destruction,  even  although 
they  postpone  the  care  of  their  soul  unto  the  very 
last  mortal  hour.  Thus  they  mistake  and  pervert 
the  doctrine  of  the  freeness  of  the  will,  and  con- 
clude that  it  means  the  same  thing  as  a  power  to 


46  THE   heart's   decision. 

choose  what  is  good.  Alas !  this  demonstrates 
ignorance  of  the  bondage  in  which  the  affections 
are  by  nature,  which  always  adhering  to  the 
delights  or  interests  of  earth,  never  impel  the  will 
to  what  is  heavenly  or  spiritually  excellent.  This 
evil  is  discovered  by  the  means  of  general  invita- 
tions or  addresses  made  to  this  faculty,  whereby 
it  is  found  that  even  in  the  last  hour  of  life,  and 
amidst  all  the  awful  considerations  brought  home 
by  the  judgment,  conscience,  and  feelings  of  the 
sinner,  there  is  still  an  impotency  in  the  will 
respecting  things  that  are  holy :  so  that,  ere  it  can 
freely  determine  for  God,  it  must  receive  a  divine 
impulse  through  the  medium  of  sanctified  affections. 
In  this  way  Jehovah  prepares  us  for  an  experi- 
mental sense  of  his  own  sovereignty,  and  of  the 
convinced  sinner's  helplessness  and  extent  of  ruin  ; 
so  that  the  doctrines  of  grace  shall  be  received 
gratefully,  and  with  deep  humility  of  heart.  And 
thus  the  truth  is  established,  that  in  every  instance 
wherein  this  faculty  of  the  will  is  won  for  the  Lord, 
it  must  be  owing  to  an  invincible  operation  from 
God  himself.  As  it  is  expressly  affirmed,  "Thy 
people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power." 
Ps.  ex.  3  ;  and  "  It  is  God  that  worketh  in  you 
both  to  will  and  to  do."  Phil.  ii.  13. 

It  will  not  offend  a  soul  that  has  been  conducted 
thus  far  in  the  knowledge  of  his  own  heart,  when 
he  is  further  informed,  that  in  all  instances  wherein 
this  operation  is  effective,  it  is  according  to  the 
sovereignty  of  God's  own  determination  and  pur- 


THE  heart's  decision.  47 

pose.  "  He  will  have  mercy  on  whom  he  will 
have  mercy."  Rom.  ix.  16.  Herein  he  aboundeth 
in  wisdom  and  power  for  the  security  of  Christ's 
glory.  Were  the  work  of  Jesus  left  dependant 
upon  the  natural  will  of  sinners  for  its  success,  it 
must  prove  uncrowned  with  any  single  instance  of 
a  soul  saved  from  destruction  :  for  sinners  dead  in 
their  sins,  and  loving  their  sins,  will  not  come  unto 
the  Lord.  And  even  according  to  the  argument  of 
those  who  ascribe  glory  to  man,  and  represent  him 
able  to  turn  himself  to  God,  it  must  appear  evident 
that  Chisfs  glory  is  left  at  great  hazard,  and  with 
very  uncertain  results  to  his  blessed  undertaking. 
This  is  not  the  divine  method.  Jehovah  leaves  not 
his  plans  and  purposes  in  this  undigested,  unformed 
condition,  but  determines  upon  effects  produced  by 
his  divine  arrangement,  according  to  an  equitable 
rule,  and  for  the  determination  also  of  Christ's 
mediatorial  glory.    Isa.  liii.  12. 

It  is  in  consequence  of  this  purpose,  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  his  covenant  office  operates  in  an  invinci- 
ble work  of  grace  in  the  vessels  of  mercy,  and 
advancing  from  those  influences  which  we  con- 
sidered in  our  late  subjects,  renders  the  conviction 
which  he  has  effected,  a  step  towards  conversion, 
causing  the  indecision  of  a  divided  heart  to  be  fol- 
lowed by  the  determination  of  surrendered  affec- 
tions. This  he  does  by  begetting  a  restlessness  of 
soul  during  the  state  of  indecision  which  becomes 
intolerable.  The  apprehensions  which  have  filled 
his  mind  and  judgment,  are  deepened  and  become 


48  THE  heart's  decision. 

more  subslantial  and  abiding:  he  is  filled  with 
alarm  for  his  own  personal  safety :  the  yearnings 
of  his  excited  feelings  become  more  tender  and 
upright :  he  contemplates  the  manifestation  of  the 
Lord  with  a  degree  of  earnest  desire  to  become 
reconciled,  and  at  peace  with  him ;  whilst  at  the 
same  time  deep  self-reproach  seizes  upon  his  spirit, 
when  he  reflects  upon  his  long  delay,  his  insin- 
cerity, his  base  ingratitude  to  a  long-suffering  God, 
and  his  debased  condition  whilst  preferring  the 
gratifications  of  sense  to  those  of  faith.  These 
are  mighty  remonstrances  from  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  forcible  approaches  to  the  will ! 

By  all  these  operations,  he  may  be  described  as 
knocking  at  the  door,  in  order  to  obtain  an  entrance 
for  Christ,  of  whom  he  is  now  about  effectually  to 
testify.  And  by  the  persisting  of  his  own  covenant 
grace  he  will  prevail ;  for  when  this  work  is  under- 
taken by  Him,  he  will  accomplish  that  which  he 
pleases.  In  consequence,  the  will  is  in  God's  due 
time  obtained ;  the  soul  having  experienced  what  is 
requisite  in  this  stage,  in  order  to  keep  it  in  a  state 
of  humiliation  and  dependence,  the  Holy  Ghost 
insinuates  his  own  persuasive  power  through  the 
faculty,  and  it  surrenders  itself.  Addresses  from 
judgment,  conscience,  and  feeling,  are  now  up- 
rightly heard  and  accepted,  and  a  holy  resolution 
follows,  not  any  longer  as  having  a  heart  divided, 
to  tamper  with  the  world,  but  entirely  to  renounce 
its  destroying  interests  and  pursuits.  There  is  now 
no  more  a  Will  for  its  pleasures,  its  smiles,  its 


THE  heart's  decision.  49 

its  gains,  its  ease.  These  are  become  distasteful,  and 
are  spiritually  disesteemed ;  so  that  he  exclaims 
with  the  apostle,  "  The  world  is  crucified  to  me, 
and  I  unto  the  world  !"     Gal.  vi.  14. 

The  divine  testimony  of  salvation  in  Christ  is 
now  appreciated,  and  its  sublime  truth  is  attractive 
and  loved.  The  soul  sighs  after  all  it  can  convey 
of  spiritual  riches  and  joy,  and  with  a  single  eye 
stands  now  in  fixed  gaze  and  fervent  devotion  at 
the  cross.  The  Will  is  now  intent  upon  taking 
Christ  for  all,  and  would  renounce  every  other 
refuge  or  rest.     Gal.  vi.  14.     Matt.  vi.  22. 

The  justice  of  God's  demand  upon  the  heart  is 
now  fully  admitted,  and  a  Will  is  felt  towards 
unconditional  compliance.  Personal  consecration 
of  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  is  considered  a  distinction, 
universal  obedience  a  privilege,  the  crucifixion  of 
sin  a  deliverance,  and  the  divine  revelation  which 
urges  to  these  high  services  are  embraced  with  a 
willing  mind.     Rom.  xii.  1 ;  vii.  18.     Gal.  ii.  20. 

Thus  the  heart  is  now  proflfered  as  an  offering 
before  the  Lord.  In  it  there  is  no  anxiety  equal 
to  that  of  being  accepted,  and  of  finding  the 
bosom  replenished  out  of  Jesus'  fulness.  And  in 
this  attitude  the  surrendered  soul  stands  before 
the  mercy-seat,  waiting  the  further  revelation  of 
peace. 

This  is  the  first  evidence  of  a  saving  work  in 

the   soul.      All   preceding  experiences   belong  in 

common  to  those  who  perish,  and  to  those  who 

live.      But  when   the   will  is  thus  obtained,  the 

6 


50  THE    heart's    decision. 

Spirit's  grace  assumes  a  more  decisive  form,  and 
we  begin  to  see  the  work  which  pecuUarly  dis- 
tinguishes the  redeemed  of  the  Lord.  We  have 
therefore  here  brought  our  investigation  of  the 
operations  which  pass  in  man's  heart,  to  an  inter- 
esting point :  and  may  pause  upon  what  is  thus  laid 
open  for  our  contemplation,  since  in  these  subjects, 
our  great  interest  should  be  to  determine  our  own 
steps  by  the  scripture  rule,  and  to  seek  knowledge 
respecting  the  stage  to  which  we  may  have  ad- 
vanced, in  order  to  apply  excitement  or  consolation 
as  our  case  requires. 

We  should  in  the  first  place  labour  to  obtain 
thorough  conviction  of  the  agreement  of  this  testi- 
mony with  the  evidence  which  we  have  individually 
given  of  its  truth,  since  it  is  undeniable  that  our  will 
has  demonstrated  this  apostacy  and  obstinacy :  and 
unless  we  are  experimentally  convinced  of  this, 
there  is  no  doubt  that  we  are  yet  in  our  native 
darkness  and  insensibility.  A  retrospect  of  the  past 
will  convince  every  man,  who  has  attended  to  the 
workings  of  his  own  mind,  that  he  has  in  innumer- 
able instances  given  evidence  of  deliberate  unwil- 
lingness to  be  saved,  having  resisted  the  various 
methods  which  have  been  applied  to  us  as  rational 
creatures,  and  being  guilty,  under  a  variety  of 
modes  and  forms,  of  putting  away  from  us  the 
plain  and  direct  testimony  which,  as  rational  crea- 
tures, we  ought  to  have  received.  And  were  the 
Lord  to  enter  into  judgment  with  us  at  this  mo- 
ment on  this  ground  of  our  responsibility  alone,  we 


THE    heart's    decision.  51 

should  each  stand  condemned;  for  we  have  de- 
monstrated that  we  have  had  no  will  to  the  cross. 
It  is  necessary  to  know  this,  and  to  be  humbled  by 
the  conviction. 

In  the  next  place,  we  find  an  interesting  inquiry 
before  us  when  we  ask,  whether  our  naturally 
apostate  will  has  been  brought  back  to  its  true 
allegiance  ?  Whether  the  many  convictions,  which 
possibly  have  agitated  our  breast,  have  ended  in 
the  experience  of  holy  liberty  in  the  service  of 
Christ  ?  If  this  be  not  our  case,  let  us  beware  of 
increasing  our  condemnation,  by  presumptuously 
casting  the  blame  on  the  Lord :  rather  let  us  learn 
to  level  all  our  charges  against  our  alienated  will, 
and  here  bring  home  every  accusation,  which  such 
deliberate  sin  should  receive.  Or  if  indeed  we 
have  the  blessed  possession  of  a  faculty,  sweetly 
and  divinely  swayed  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  in  affections  which  he  has  sanctified,  let  us 
acknowledge  the  blessing  as  a  gift,  let  us  love  the 
Giver ;  and  by  the  past  experience  we  have  had  of 
native  aversion  to  the  Lord,  wonder  and  adore, 
when  we  discover  this  supernatural  adherence  to 
him  of  which  our  hearts  are  now  conscious. 

The  Christian  will  find  a  very  interesting  and 
important  engagement  connected  with  his  sense  of 
liberty  in  the  obedience  of  faith.  He  will  feel 
the  necessity  of  keeping  a  vigilant  eye  upon  the 
internal  movements  of  his  heart,  with  an  upright 
desire  always  to  maintain  the  evidence  of  a  will 


52  THE    heart's    decision. 

that  is  iiue  to  God,  clear  and  unclouded  before 
him.  For  this  end  we  require  perpetual  supplies 
from  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  should  examine  all  our 
sacrifices  and  services,  lest  on  any  occasion  they 
degenerate  from  their  high  standard,  and  become 
mere  works  of  form,  or  constraint,  or  necessity. 
The  importance  of  this  disposition  is  set  forth  by 
the  apostle,  expressive  of  his  own  experience  in 
this  respect,  "  If  I  do  this  thing  loiUinghj  I  have 
a  reward,  but  if  against  my  will,  a  dispensation 
of  the  gospel  is  committed  unto  me."  1  Cor.  ix, 
17.  He  was  anxious  to  demonstrate  that  he  did 
not  serve  merely  in  a  customary  observance  of  a 
particular  calling,  but  in  freedom,  in  liberty,  and 
according  to  the  willing  disposition  in  which  God 
delights  ;  Lev.  i.  3,  4. 

Here  also  a  caution  may  be  suggested,  for  the 
direction  and  comfort  of  humble  souls.  We  must 
not  confound  that  stage  of  experience,  that  has 
been  described  here,  with  a  state  which  belongs 
to  an  advanced  degree  of  the  Spirit's  operation. 
It  is  very  possible  that  we  may  have  a  will  to 
perform,  before  we  have  a  decided  evidence  of 
power,  as  the  ensuing  subject  will  demonstrate. 
And  we  may  possibly  have  many  inward  victories 
consequent  upon  this  will,  even  before  they  become 
visible  to  us.  Our  part  therefore  should  be,  having 
ascertained  that  to  will  is  present  with  us,  grate- 
fully to  use  this  measure  of  experience,  depending 
upon  the  Lord  for  increase  ;  and  remembering, 
how  graciously  he  has  caused  it  to  be  written,  "  If 


THE  heart's  decision.  53 

there  be  first  a  willing  mind,  God  accepteth  it, 
according  to  what  a  man  hath,  and  not  according 
to  what  he  hath  not,"  2  Cor.  viii.  12.  This  scripture, 
which  applies  to  the  use  of  our  worldly  substance 
for  his  glory,  will  be  found  of  equal  application  to 
the  things  which  are  spiritual. 


6* 


THE    HEART'S    CONFLICTING   STATE 
UNDER  A  SENSE  OF  IMPOTENCY. 

Romans  vii.  19. 

In  our  present  inquiry  it  will  be  our  object  to  as- 
certain, what  may  be  the  nature  of  that  experience 
through  which  the  soul  passes  when,  according  to 
what  was  last  shewn,  the  blessed  operation  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  is  so  far  possessed,  as  to  enable  the 
heart  to  exclaim  in  sincerity,  "  To  will  is  present 
with  me  !"  An  advance  of  experience  is  of  course 
to  be  expected,  but  it  is  not  always  the  privilege  of 
the  soul  to  be  able  rightly  to  interpret  the  exercises 
which  accompany  such  a  progress.  It  may  there- 
fore be  profitable  to  the  mind  in  many  respects, 
that  we  should  investigate  this  subject. 

It  is  not  enough  for  the  upright  mind,  to  feel 
that  a  blessed  change  has  been  produced  in  the 
tendency  of  the  will.  Great  as  this  privilege  is, 
the  restless  heart  longs  for  more,  and  unfeignedly 
sighs  after  a  power  to  accomplish  what  is  now 
decidedly  loved.  It  would  embrace  the  whole 
commandment  with  practical  energy  ;  and,  whilst 
contemplating  the  revelation  with  holy  approba- 
tion, would  exhibit  its  excellency  in  living  demon- 
stration.   The  language  of  such  an  one  agrees  with 


THE  heart's  state,  &c.  55 

that  of  the  Psalmist,  "  O  that  my  ways  were  made 
so  direct  that  I  might  keep  thy  statutes  always." 
Psalm  cxix.  5. 

In  consequence  of  this  restless  excitement,  the 
endeavour  is  put  forth  towards  triumphing  over 
those  evils  which  the  will  has  renounced,  and 
attaining  to  those  excellencies  which  it  approves, 
"  I  made  haste  and  delayed  not  to  keep  thy  com- 
mandments."    Psalm  cxix.  60. 

One  of  the  first  objects  attempted  is  the  visible 
separation  from  the  world  which  the  gospel  pre- 
scribes, with  the  fervent  desire  that  the  change 
may  not  only  be  experienced  within,  but  known 
by  all  men.  In  order  to  this,  neiv  society  is  sought 
after,  and  the  believer  longs  to  be  admitted  into 
the  number  of  those  who  are  really  the  saints  of 
the  Lord,  and  amongst  whom  he  may  be  known 
to  have  an  abiding  fellowship.  He  endeavours 
to  demonstrate  this,  by  his  courteous  overtures  to 
the  people  of  God,  by  seeking  to  obtain  intro- 
duction to  their  society,  and  by  a  regular  adhe- 
rence to  all  those  places  where  these  assemble 
together;  he  desires  to  be  considered  a  brother, 
and  one  of  their  own  company ;  Acts  iv.  23  ;  ix. 
26.  This  purpose  of  heart  he  seeks  to  intimate 
amongst  his  nearer  connexions  of  family  or  friends, 
venturing  upon  religious  observations,  seeking  to 
turn  conversation  upon  subjects  that  may  edify, 
and  if  he  is  in  circumstances  which  give  him 
opportunity  or  authority,  proposing  and  establish- 
ing family  worship.     He  declines  the   invitations 


56  THE  heart's  state 

which  the  world  presents,  not  now,  as  formerly, 
under  a  cloak  and  with  lying  subterfuges,  but 
openly  testifying  that  he  considers  it  necessary  to 
renounce  the  pursuit  of  carnal  pleasures,  and  pre- 
ferable to  consecrate  his  time  to  higher  and  abid- 
ing delights.  He  wishes  it  to  be  understood,  that 
he  is  not  the  same  man  he  once  was,  and  suppli- 
cates God  thus  to  glorify  himself  in  showing  forth 
this  wonderful  change.     Gal.  i.  15,  16,23,  24. 

The  inward  region  of  his  heart  is  now  also 
under  a  close  inspection,  and  an  upright  scrutiny  : 
he  resolves  upon  the  severest  discipline,  and  that 
no  rival  of  his  God  shall  remain  within  his  breast. 
His  honest  intention  is  to  mortify  all  his  corrupt 
affections,  and  to  crucify  the  flesh.  Nor  does  he 
shrink  from  the  design  when  interests  that  are 
nearest  his  heart  stand  before  his  recollection ;  on 
the  contrary  a  holy  ambition  glows  in  his  bosom 
whilst  he  contemplates  these  occasions  of  trial  and 
he  is  ready  to  press  towards  the  mark  and  say,  "  I 
will  not  offer  unto  the  Lord  of  that  which  doth 
cost  me  nothing,"  2  Sam.  xxiv.  24.  He  has  no 
wish  to  conceal  any  secret  of  his  breast,  no  inten- 
tion to  withhold  any  possession  that  he  has,  nothing 
is  more  deprecated  by  him  than  the  idea  of  doing 
the  Lord's  work  superficially,  and  thus  animated 
by  the  spirit  of  integrity,  he  sets  forth  in  prosecu- 
tion of  his  devoted  purpose  to  bring  his  all  unto  the 
Lord. 

In  unison  with  this  affection,  he  resolves  upon 
living,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  a  visible  and 


UNDER  A  SENSE  OP  IMPOTENCY.       57 

open  pleader  for  truth,  and  as  far  as  ability  may  be 
afforded  to  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once 
delivered  to  the  saints.  He  emulates  the  zeal  of 
others  who  have  stood  forward  for  their  God,  and 
longs  o  be  enrolled  in  the  number  of  bold  and 
resolute  advocates  for  the  cause  of  Christ.  This 
he  resolves  upon  attempting  in  simplicity,  with  im- 
partiality, and  with  cour;  ge,  that  so  his  witness 
may  be  added  to  that  of  the  Lord's  anointed  ones 
in  the  service  of  holiness,  and  for  the  salvation  of 
men. 

This  is  the  disposition  of  an  upright  Will  that 
has  been  brought  under  holy  government ;  it  binds 
the  whole  man  willingly  and  cheerfully  to  the  obli- 
gation of  universal  obedience,  and  of  open  disci- 
pleship. 

These  efforts  of  integrity  serve  however  to  pro- 
duce a  very  different  experience  to  that  which  the 
soul  anticipated.  Usually  the  inexperienced  be- 
liever expects  that  he  has  only  to  will  a  thing,  and 
it  is  done;  and  he  puts  forth  his  purpose  with  an 
assurance  of  immediate  gratification  to  his  best 
desires  ;  whereas,  to  his  surprise  and  mortification, 
he  finds  a  developement  of  trial  awaiting  him, 
rather  than  of  victory,  and  has  painfully  to  learn 
that  he  requires  an  operation  of  which  he  was  not 
aware  in  order  to  be  able  to  will  and  to  do.  The 
knowledge  he  has  hitherto  attained  of  the  subjects 
of  Revelation,  as  it  respects  the  evil  and  sti-ength 
of  indwelling  sin,  has  been  more  by  intellectual  than 
by  experimental  light.     He  has  indeed  seen  it  to  be 


58  THE  heart's  state 

truly  the  abominable  thing  which  God  righteously 
abhorreth,  he  also  has  learnt  unfeignedly  to  abhor 
it  as  evil ;  but  he  has  not  discovered  its  deep  malig- 
nity, as  the  obstinate  and  mysteriously  determined 
foe  to  the  new  life  that  is  in  him.  This  he  has  to 
learn,  through  his  upright  abhorrence  of  it,  and  hy 
encountering  it  in  the  resolution  of  faith  ;  it  is  then 
that  the  strength  of  the  foe  is  felt  and  owned.  Thus 
when  beginning  to  open  the  war  and  to  resist  the 
world,  it  is  found  not  quite  so  easy  to  overcome 
this  formidable  adversary  as  it  appeared  ere  it  was 
encountered  ;  and  although  the  Will  to  separate 
from  it  is  strong  and  faithful,  old  habits  are  found 
very  obstinate,  and  hard  to  be  overcome  ;  they 
encumber  and  entangle  those  who  have  been  long 
in  the  custom  of  mixing  with  the  world,  so  that  the 
soul  is  continually  coming  short  of  its  own  resolu- 
tions. Natural  affections  also  raise  up  powerful 
obstacles :  the  fear  of  giving  pain — the  dread  of 
seeming  to  be  ungrateful,  the  horror  of  wearing  an 
appearance  of  presumption,  or  of  inducing  family 
discord  and  inconvenience,  all  subtlely  reason 
against  the  practical  decision  which  is  designed  ; 
and  although  these  are  adversaries  which  are  not 
obeyed  by  the  upright  will,  they  produce  a  painful 
conflict  and  many  difficulties.  When  putting  forth 
the  hand  to  crucify  the  flesh  and  tear  down  the 
idols  of  the  heart,  and  cleanse  out  the  filthy  cham- 
ber where  so  many  abominations  have  been  har- 
boured, he  finds  the  traitors  in  arms,  and  ready  to 
rebel,  obstinately  disputing  the  right  to  the  throne ; 


UNDER    A    SENSE    OF    IMPO'i  ENCY.  59 

and  that  efforts  to  sweep  the  heart  do  but  stir  up 
evils  that  were  undiscovered  until  now.  "  The 
flesh  lusteth  against  the  spirit,"  when  he  "  would  do 
good,  evil  is  present  with  him."  Instead  of  im- 
provement he  seems  to  grow  worse,  and  his  best 
resolutions  appear  to  be  abortive  and  vain.  When 
urging  upon  himself  the  act  of  openly  warrin  with 
Satan  as  a  witness  for  truth,  he  is  dismayed  and 
awe-struck  by  finding  an  unaccountable  remissness. 
Sinners  are  left  unreproved,  he  hears  the  evil  and 
strangely  passes  by  the  occasion  in  which  it  might 
have  been  exposed.  In  the  domestic  circle,  instead 
of  advancing  truth  in  the  way  he  had  arranged,  his 
own  speech  seems  paralized ;  or  if  he  speaks,  it  is 
done  with  constraint,  with  rashness,  with  a  spirit  of 
impatience  and  irritation,  very  unlike  what  he  had 
imagined  he  should  evince.  Thus  instead  of  grati- 
fication, he  is  filled  with  shame  ;  he  returns  to  his 
closet  full  of  self-disgust  and  confusion  ;  he  pros- 
trates himself  before  God  in  utter  distress  of  mind, 
and  exclaims  in  the  bitterness  of  his  spirit,  "  O 
wretched  man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  !" 

The  distress  of  this  stage  of  experience  is  greatly 
increased  by  the  malignity  of  Satan  and  the  world. 
These  enemies  fail  not  to  take  advantage  of  these 
circumstances.  Satan  will  suggest  that  the  things 
which  have  been  received  as  true,  cannot  in  fact  be 
so,  that  the  divine  promises  are  not  fulfilled,  and  not 
to  be  relied  upon ;  or  possibly  that  scriptures  have 
been  misinterpreted  and  misapplied  ;  or  that  if  true 


60  THE   heart's    state 

to  others,  they  are  not  so  to  him  ;  that  he  can  have 
no  part  or  lot  in  the  matter  since  he  is  thus  weak, 
overcome,  and  disconsolate  ;  that  were  he  inter- 
ested in  the  covenant,  no  doubt  he  would,  like 
those  christians  whose  victorious  course  he  has 
contemplated,  have  his  trophies  of  triump  to  bring 
before  his  Saviour ;  that  possibly  he  is  too  vile  to  be 
an  object  of  divine  favour,  or  an  abode  for  the  Spirit 
to  inhabit ;  and  that  in  fact  he  has  been  very  pre- 
sumptuous in  his  former  hopes,  and  expectations. 
The  world  too  he  acknowledges  may  justly  suspect 
him  to  be  a  hypocrite,  and  perhaps  does  so  at  this 
moment.  His  family  may  with  propriety  charge 
him  with  inconsistency.  No  wonder  they  have  not 
confided  in  him  ;  they  perceive  no  difference  in  his 
spirit  from  theirs :  why  should  they  respect  such  an 
one  ?  it  were  better  not  to  appear  the  disciple  he 
has  professed  to  be,  and  to  keep  his  religion,  his 
hopes,  and  his  fears  to  himself  These  are  the 
bitter  things  which  Satan  suggests,  working  through 
the  world,  and  upon  his  own  natural  mind,  and 
prompting  him  to  allow  the  power  of  unbelief,  and 
to  sink  in  discouragement,  giving  up  the  war.  This 
is  a  frame  of  mind  most  miserable  to  the  sufferer, 
and  most  perilous,  because  its  tendency  is  to 
generate  distance  of  conduct  towards  God,  a 
restraint  of  prayer  and  a  distrust  of  divine  mercy. 
Let  us  therefore  seek  wisdom,  that  we  may 
rightly  interpret  these  divine  methods,  for  they  are 
divine,  the  result  of  God's  tender  and  covenant 
care  for  the  prosperity  of  the  soul  that  he  loves. 


UNDER  A  SENSE  OF  IMPOTENCY.       61 

There  are  many  important  parts  of  christian  expe- 
rience, which  are  secured  through  this  conflicting 
exercise. 

In  the  first  place,  it  is  necessary  to  possess 
experimental  self  knowledge  :  to  which  end  the 
condition  we  have  contemplated  may  be  considered 
as  a  manifesting  light.  It  is  true,  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  conducts  the  mind  into  the  deep  caverns  and 
recesses  of  a  sinful  heart,  disclosing  the  hidden 
things  of  darkness,  and  causing  the  dreadful  extent 
of  spiritual  ruin  to  be  understood.  In  this  operation 
he  carries  with  him  the  spiritual  law  as  a  detector 
and  touchstone,  shewing  by  the  spirituality  of  the 
requirement,  the  contrariety  of  nature  to  the  mind 
of  God,  and  thus  convincing  of  sin  in  a  j)^culiar 
sense  of  the  word.  Of  this  St.  Paul  speaks, 
declaring,  "  I  had  not  known  sin  but  by  the  law," 
— "  when  the  commandment  came,  sin  revived, 
and  I  died."  And  in  the  interesting  disclosure  of 
his  painful  experience,  contained  in  Rom.  vii.,  we 
have  a  full  detail  of  what  the  soul  endures  in  this 
state  of  discipline,  and  the  end  for  which  it  is 
appointed.  This  is  necessary  in  every  individual 
case  of  a  converted  soul,  for  we  have  otherwise  no 
knowledge  of  sin  but  intellectually,  and  no  know- 
ledge of  self  but  superficially. 

It  is  further  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
ducing in  us  an  entire  persuasion,  that  in  us  there 
dwelleth,  not  only  "  no  good  thing,"  but  no 
strength  to  overcome  the  evil  things.'  Until  we 
have  made  trial  of  our  ability,  we  conceive  it  to  be 
7 


62  THE  heart's  state 

great ;  but  trial  brings  down  our  lofty  imaginations, 
and  leaves  us  with  the  conviction  that  we  are  help- 
less;  that  it  is  not  even  in  a  will  governed  by 
renewed  affections,  and  true  in  its  allegiance  to 
God,  to  accomplish  any  thing  independently,  but 
that  we  depend  upon  the  continued  operation  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  for  his  actings  upon  the  faculties  he 
has  himself  given  and  sanctified,  in  order  to 
accomplish  any  thing  effectually,  or  to  the  glory  of 
God. 

By  this  painful  experience  we  are  also  greatly 
excited  in  our  warfare :  the  upright  will  becomes 
proportionably  resolute  by  the  difficulties  it  encount- 
ers: for  although  there  are  awful  convulsions  which 
agitate  the  bosom,  and  many  temptations  to  des- 
pondency presented  to  the  mind,  the  Lord,  the 
Spirit,  preserves  the  work  in  vigour.  If  foes  are 
formidable,  the  believer's  energy  shall  rise  corres- 
pondingly ;  he  finds  the  necessity  of  fighting  in 
earnest,  not  as  one  who  beateth  the  air ;  he  feels 
the  necessity  of  girding  on  his  spiritual  weapons ; 
of  keeping  under  the  body,  of  watching  unto 
pmyer,  and  of  living  hahitualhj  as  a  soldier  of  the 
cross.  Thus  his  affections  obtain  more  substantial 
existence  by  the  means  of  a  deep  apprehension  of 
the  exposure  of  his  soul.  All  this  is  learnt  by  the 
conflicting  experience  described,  and  therefore 
sufficiently  demonstrates  that  it  is  appointed  in  love. 

It  is  of  equal  interest  and  importance  to  under- 
stand that  there  is  an  experimental  acquaintance  with 
the  doctrines  of  grace,  which  is  very  distinct  from  the 


UNDER    A    SENSE    OF   IMPOTENCY.  63 

speculative,  superficial,  hard-hearted,  and  arrogant 
disposition,  with  which  some  persons  discuss  those 
parts  of  revelation  ;  and  we  should  perceive  how 
such  an  experience  is  only  attainable  through  this 
sense  of  our  own  misery. 

As  we  learn  the  nature  of  original  sin  with  its 
accompanying  power  and  results,  through  this 
dispensation  of  conflict,  so  we  learn  the  glorious 
plan  of  salvation  from  sin  in  the  best  way,  when  it 
is  given  through  the  same  medium.  Hence  it  is 
that  we  learn  the  necessity  for  the  doctrine  of 
election  if  ever  we  have  hope.  Others  may  dis- 
pute about  it  in  a  variety  of  human  modes,  but  we, 
if  experimentally  sure  of  our  own  death  in  tres- 
passes and  sins,  must  be  equally  sure  that  if  we 
live  it  is  by  a  sovereign  invincible  act  in  God's  part 
freely  proceeding  from  himself.  We  therefore 
hang  to  the  doctrine  as  our  dearest  ground  of 
comfort,  as  it  is  our  only  ground  of  hope ;  and 
when  we  listen  to  the  voice  of  Scripture  proclaim- 
ing the  existence  of  such  a  purpose  in  behalf  of 
wretched  souls,  our  fervent  desire  is  to  lay  hold 
upon  it  as  aftbrding  encouragement  to  us,  which  no 
other  consideration  could  prevent.  Thus  we 
reason, — If  salvation  be  an  act  so  free,  so  full, 
extended  to  the  dead,  to  the  vile,  then  I  who  am 
the  chief  of  sinners  may  have  hope,  for  God's 
eternal  purpose  may  be  magnified  in  me.  1  Pet.  i.  2. 
1  Cor.  vi.  11.  It  is  thus  likewise  that  we  obtain  a 
power  to  propose  the  doctrine  of  election  to  others 
in  a  way  that  corresponds  with  the  Lord's  own 


64  THE    heart's    state 

method.  We  can  do  it  confidently,  because  it  has 
been  displayed  in  ourselves.  We  can  do  it  charit- 
ably on  the  same  ground.  It  furnishes  us  with 
hopes  towards  the  most  wretched,  and  with  mo- 
tives for  perseverance  in  seeking  the  wanderer's 
soul,  knowing  that  this  way  of  salvation  renders 
man  in  any  state  an  object  that  may  yet  be 
gathered  in  by  God's  invincible  power. 

The  atonement  is  also  most  appreciated  when 
its  value  is  learnt  through  painful  mortifying  expe- 
rience. Precious  indeed  is  that  blood  of  Jesus 
which  we  believe  is  able  to  save  such  filthy  guilty 
sinners  as  we  now  find  ourselves  to  be !  Blessed 
is  the  revelation  of  such  a  fountain  opened  for  sin 
and  uncleanness,  wherein  the  defilements  which 
are  daily  contracted  may  all  be  washed  away ! 
And  whilst  combining  the  sense  of  sin  with  faith 
in  this  provision,  the  cry  is  emphatically  uttered, 
"  wash  me  and  I  shall  be  clean."     Psalm  li.  7. 

Nor  less  important  is  the  saving  estimation  of 
Christ's  justifying  righteousness,  which  is  obtained 
through  the  knowledge  of  our  painful  short  com- 
ings. Never  do  we  powerfully  apprehend  this 
glorious  provision  until  we  are  made  conscious  of 
the  imperfections  attending  our  best  works :  but 
when  in  the  midst  of  every  upright  fervent  pursuit 
of  the  divine  life,  we  are  convinced  that  we  fail  in 
the  measure  which  God's  righteous  law  demands, 
then  it  is  that  we  hail  the  infinitely  perfect  merit 
in  which  the  law  is  magnified  and  we  are  secured. 

How  otherwise  than  by  the  experience  of  our 


TIN  PER   A   SENSE    OF   IMPOTENCY.  65 

weakness  could  we  be  brought  habitually  to  rest 
upon  the  strength  of  the  Lord  ?  How  vain  are 
all  the  theoretic  views  we  obtain  of  human  impo- 
tency !  how  inefficacious  the  mere  convictions  of 
sin,  to  produce  in  us  simple  affiance  in  the  Holy 
Ghost !  Until  we  are  sensible  of  our  helplessness, 
through  the  knowledge  of  our  insufficiency,  to  con- 
tend against  the  smallest  sin  in  our  own  power, 
we  will  not  truly  accept  the  covenant  proffer  of 
sufficiency  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  But  when  we  have 
been  made  to  groan  under  the  weight  of  corrup- 
tion ;  to  lament  over  the  wounds  and  bruises  which 
have  attended  our  independence,  and  to  see  how 
we  fall  when  we  attempt  to  walk  alone,  we  then 
gratefully  accept  the  arm  of  our  beloved,  gladly 
receive  the  privilege  of  becoming  strong  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  learn  to  count  this  part  of  the 
covenant  design  inestimably  precious. 

If  such  be  the  advantages  derived  from  the 
painful  sense  of  personal  misery,  surely  we  shall 
admit  that  this  dispensation  is  in  love.  Let  us 
therefore  endeavour  to  overcome  the  dejection 
which  assails  us  on  these  occasions,  and  never  be 
discouraged  by  the  strength  of  our  foes.  "  Greater 
is  he  that  is  in  us  than  he  that  is  in  the  world." 
If  we  wait  upon  the  Lord,  we  shall  renew  our 
strength,  and  in  due  time  we  shall  mount  up  as  with 
the  wings  of  an  eagle.  Isa.  xl.  29.  Our  God  will 
ere  long  put  a  new  song  into  our  mouths,  and 
teach  us  to  exclaim  with  other  saints,  "Blessed 
be  the  Lord  my  strength,  who  teacheth  my  hands 
7* 


66  THE  heart's  state,  &c. 

to  war  and  my  fingers  to  fight."  Psalm  cxliv.  1. 
There  is  no  evil  so  much  to  be  dreaded  by  the 
Christian  as  distrust  of  the  issue  of  the  conflict. 
Such  fears  are  generated  by  unbelief  and  always 
weaken  our  hands.  They  are  likewise  very  fre- 
quently consequent  upon  some  lurking  temptation 
to  insincerity  in  the  warfare.  So  long  as  we  will 
rely  upon  the  promise  of  God,  we  have  every 
consideration  which  may  stimulate  us  to  cheerful- 
ness and  expectation  :  for  although  the  Lord  bear 
long  with  his  people's  cries,  he  will  avenge  them, 
and  that  speedily.  Luke  xviii.  L  Neither  is  there 
any  heart  too  vile  for  him  whose  work  is  grace : 
nor  any  sin  too  strongfor  him  whose  power  is  infinite. 
Let  us  therefore  when  distressed  by  these  exercises 
run  unto  the  Name  of  our  Lord,  for  He  is  a  strong 
tower ;  and  patiently  wait  until  he  is  pleased  to 
sanctify  the  discipline  to  our  advance  in  consola- 
tion and  the  joy  of  faith.  Gal.  v.  16.  vi.  9. 
Heb.  vii.  25. 


THE  HEART'S  CONTRITION. 
Psalm  li.  9. 

In  our  last  view  of  the  soul  as  brought  under  the 
Spirit's  gracious  operations,  we  beheld  the  be- 
liever in  very  interesting  and  affecting  circum- 
stances. Having  received  the  divine  unction  upon 
the  faculty  of  his  will,  and  in  this  grace  made 
uprightly  desirous  to  embrace  the  service  of  the 
cross ;  and  having,  as  the  result  of  this  determi- 
nation, resolutely  entered  the  scene  of  conflict, 
where  we  saw  him  encountering  his  spiritual  ad- 
versaries in  the  midst  of  painful  experience :  now 
for  the  first  time  made  sensible  of  the  strength  of 
his  foes,  and  mortified  to  discern  the  weakness  of 
his  own  powers,  the  bitter  cry  of  "  O  wretched 
man  that  I  am,"  bursting  from  his  lips,  and  desola- 
tion of  heart  attending  his  anxious  steps. 

We  must  now  inquire  into  the  result  of  this 
mortification  :  which  I  conceive  to  be  an  advanced 
experience  of  a  state  of  deep  contrition  and 
hrokenness  of  heart.  To  some  persons  who  view 
the  subject  of  Christian  exercise  superficially,  it 
may  possibly  appear  unnecessary  to  consider  a 
state  of  contrition  separately  from  that  which  we 
have  already  traced.  Tliey  may  be  disposed  to 
Qsk,  what  more  is  necessarv,  in  order  to  constitute  a 


68  THE  heart's  contrition. 

man  a  real  penitent  and  broken  hearted,  than  that 
he  should  be  convicted,  willing,  and  abased  ?  To 
the  reflective  mind,  however,  it  will  appear,  that 
there  is  something  very  essential  to  a  truly  peni- 
tential frame  of  soul,  which  has  not  yet  been 
before  us.  We  have  seen  how  it  is  possible  for  a 
man  to  be  convicted  without  being  loilling,  and 
willing  without  being  humbled  by  discoveries  of 
his  own  impotency.  And  it  is  equally  true,  that 
he  may  be  humbled  and  abased  in  the  knowledge 
of  self,  without  being  really  prostrated  before  God, 
in  what  the  divine  standard  will  acknowledge  as 
contrition.  Many  there  are  who,  under  the  un- 
feigned persuasion  of  their  own  misery,  will  utter 
bitter  cries  and  lamentations,  who  nevertheless 
are  in  no  degree  self -emptied :  and  without  some 
degree  of  this  disposition,  there  is  not  any  genuine 
brokenness  of  heart. 

This  consideration  renders  it  very  important 
that  we  understand  the  grace  of  penitence  in  a 
scriptural  light.  There  is  much  more  belonging  to 
this  disposition  as  a  g7rice  of  the  Spirit  than  is 
usually  admitted.  And  error  in  these  subjects  is 
productive  of  the  most  wretched  consequences  to 
thousands  of  souls. 

It  is  true  that  by  repentance,  as  generally  under- 
stood, we  mean  a  certain  change  of  mind,  or 
opinion,  or  judgment,  and  in  some  cases  an  attend- 
ant change  of  conduct.  Men,  in  interests  of  a 
temporal  nature,  may  frequently  be  troubled  by  a 
sense  of  having  committed  an  error  of  judgment, 


THE  heart's  contrition.  69 

or  they  may  be  under  the  influence  of  different 
affections  respecting  the  subject  against  or  in 
favour  of  which,  they  then  decided,  or  they  may 
be  suffering  present  inconvenience  from  having 
decided  without  caution  or  prudence;  the  sense 
of  this  is  distressing,  and  were  it  in  their  power 
they  would  undo  the  past.  But  this  is  a  distress 
which  is  in  action  only  in  reference  to  some  par- 
ticular point,  not  in  connexion  with  a  general  view 
of  incompetency  to  judge  or  act,  and  may  exist  in 
the  midst  of  encompassing  pride,  and  high  self- 
estimation.  We  cannot  call  this  a  penitent  state^ 
or  a  state  of  contrition. 

Exactly  in  the  same  degree  a  disposition  of 
repentance  may  be  felt  upon  religious  subjects, 
by  persons  who  have  never  had  their  hearts 
broken  before  God  ;  as  was  shewn  in  considering 
the  nature  of  conviction.  A  very  instructive 
example  of  this  description  is  left  upon  record  in 
the  scriptures.  The  history  of  Esau  will  furnish 
us  with  this  in  a  form  which  demands  our  partic- 
ular attention.  He  was  a  carnal  man,  that  is, 
one  vvho  was  under  the  dominion  of  his  own  cor- 
rupt and  sensual  inclinations.  His  judgment  was 
in  accordance  with  the  corruption  of  his  affec- 
tions; and  when  he  reasoned  upon  the  valuo 
of  the  birthright,  which  was  annexed  to  him  as 
the  first-born  of  Isaac,  he  utterly  condemned  it. 
He  supposed  it  to  consist  only  of  spiritual  and 
distant  distinctions,  which  he  had  no  heart  to 
appreciate ;    as  we  discover  in  his  own  words, 


70  THE  heart's  contrition. 

"  What  good  shall  this  birthright  do  me  ?"  And 
when  a  suitable  temptation  presented  itself,  he 
readily  sold  it  for  a  mess  of  pottage.  Yet  aftey-- 
wards  he  regi'etted  this  act,  because  he  perceived 
that  the  birthright  embraced  certain  temporal 
dignities  and  possessions,  which  he  had  appetites 
to  esteem ;  and  when  these  were  decidedly  made 
over  to  Jacob  by  the  blessing  of  his  father,  he 
lifted  up  his  voice  and  wept.  His  cries  however 
availed  not :  "  he  found  no  place  for  repentance, 
though  he  sought  it  carefully  with  tears."  The 
blessing  was  irreversibly  pronounced  by  Isaac,  I 
have  blessed  him,  yea,  and  he  shall  be  blessed. 
Gen.  xxvii.  33.  It  was  a  change  of  this  mind,  or 
repentance  on  the  part  of  Isaac,  which  Esau  so 
earnestly  desired,  but  which  found  no  place  in  the 
mind  of  the  patriarch.  Heb.  xii.  17.  This  is  an 
example  which  exactly  answers  to  the  end  we 
are  here  to  keep  in  view,  namely,  that  mere 
selfish  regret  for  particular  errors  comes  not  up 
to  the  true  nature  of  genuine  repentance  :  and 
that  unless  we  possess  dispositions  which  answer 
to  the  standard  and  rule  by  which  the  Lord  will 
judge,  our  cries  and  supplications  will  not  avail ; 
Jehovah  will  never  alter  his  own  prescribed  mode 
and  holy  requirement. 

Let  us  therefore  seek  in  the  first  place  to 
understand  the  peculiarities  which  mark  the 
genuine  contrition  of  a  broken  heart.  For  this 
end,  look  to  the  source  whence  it  proceeds.  It  is 
to  be  considered  as  the  provision  in  the  everlasting 


THE  heart's  contrition.  71 

covenant,  originating  with  the  eternal  purpose  to 
exalt  the  Son  of  God,  as  he  is  appointed  to  be  the 
heir  of  a  peculiar  heritage  from  amongst  the  sons 
of  men  ordained  to  form  his  mediatorial  crown, 
and  be  exhibited  as  loyal  subjects  of  his  spiritual 
kingdom.  It  is  necessary  that  security  should 
be  given  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  object  in 
the  wilhng  hearts  of  a  people  that  shall  turn  to 
him  and  live.  Therefore  rejMniance  forms  a 
chief  consideration  in  the  divine  arrangement, 
and  is  represented  in  the  Scriptures,  not  only  as 
necessary,  but  as  a  gift  which  God  will  bestow. 
Thus  the  Apostle,  when  urging  his  son  Timothy 
to  discharge  his  duty  as  an  evangelist,  warning, 
rebuking,  and  inviting  sinners,  exhorts  him  to  do 
so  in  faith,  if  peradventure  God  may  be  pleased 
to  give  them  repentance  to  the  acknowledging  of 
the  truth.  2  Tim.  ii.  25.  And  so  the  prophetic 
voice  speaks  of  the  purpose  respecting  Israel,  "I 
will  pour  out  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem, 
and  upon  the  house  of  David  the  spirit  of  grace 
and  of  supplications,  and  they  shall  look  on  me 
whom  they  have  pierced,  and  mourn."  Zech. 
xii.  10.  And  in  the  parallel  passage,  Rev.  i.  7, 
not  only  Israel  as  a  nation  is  thus  distinguished, 
but  the  kindreds  of  the  earth  also,  shall  in  this 
way  wail  because  of  him.  It  follows,  from  admit- 
ting the  freeness  of  the  gift  as  a  covenant  pro- 
vision, that  it  flows  to  man  through  Jesus  as  the 
Christ,  or  anointed  one  ;  for  covenant  visitations 
are  all  imparted    through    this    blessed  medium ; 


72  THE  heart's  contrition. 

the  infinitely  meritorious  atonement  and  right- 
eousness of  the  Lord  Jesus,  procuring  for  man 
those  manifestations  of  divine  love  which  must 
otherwise  have  been  eternally  lost.  Had  not 
this  propitiation  been  offered,  the  spirit  of  con- 
trition could  never  have  pervaded  the  hard  heart 
of  a  sinner,  neither  would  Jehovah  have  list- 
ened to  the  cries  and  wailing  from  the  wretched. 
Thus  Jesus  testified  to  his  sorrowing  disciple, 
"  If  I  go  not  away,  the  comforter  will  not  come." 
John  xvi.  7,  8.  To  this  sacred  source,  there- 
fore, the  eye  of  faith  must  be  directed,  teaching 
us  to  receive  the  unspeakable  blessings  of  a  soft- 
ened heart  as  a  free  mercy  from  above,  as  coming 
to  us  in  the  blood  and  sweet  savour  of  a  crucified 
and  risen  Lord  ;  and  as  the  token  of  that 
triumph,  which  he  as  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour  has 
obtained,  and  in  which  he  is  exalted  to  the  right 
hand  above,  "  for  to  give  repentance."  Acts  v. 
3L  Ps.  Ixviii.  18.  The  virtue  of  this  great 
offering  has  availed  in  all  ages,  and  sinners  have 
been  subdued  by  the  force  of  divine  love  from 
the  first  generation  of  men.  But  it  has  been  the 
divine  will  to  reserve  a  glorious  period  wherein 
Jesus  of  Nazareth  should  receive  the  indisputable 
testimony  from  above :  and  consequently  when 
promises  were  fulfilled,  and  types  and  shadows 
were  finished  by  the  manifestation  of  the  substance 
in  him,  the  Spirit  descended  in  richest  plenitude 
and  power,  and  the  gift  of  repentance  crowned  the 
witness  to  our  ascended  Lord. 


THE  heart's  contrition.  73 

This  repentance  is  peculiar  in  its  character,  as 
it  is  the  special  operation  of  a  covenant  God  to  a 
people  in  whom  the  eternal  Son  shall  be  glorified, 
and  attends  that  grace  by  which  the  Spirit  deprives 
the  sinner  of  hope  in  himself,  that  he  may  invest 
him  with  a  hope  in  Christ,  which  maketh  not 
ashamed.  For  this  purpose  having,  as  shown  in 
the  last  subject,  revealed  the  nature  of  sin,  and 
stripped  off  the  disposition  of  self-importance  with 
which  man  is  disposed  to  encounter  it,  he  proceeds 
to  establish  the  deep  seated  feeling  of  self-loathing. 
This  is  an  effect  following  the  cry  of  conscious 
wretchedness  through  the  power  of  advancing 
spiritual  existence.  It  is  not  the  natural  result  of 
mortification.  Alas !  even  in  God's  own  children 
there  is  frequently  a  lamentable  absence  of  real 
humiliation,  notwithstanding  they  are  ready  to  con- 
fess their  own  wretchedness.  In  many  instances 
this  confession  is  attended  with  a  spirit  of  suUenness 
or  resentment,  the  soul  being  ready  to  take  offence 
as  if  the  Lord  were  dealing  unjustly  and  hardly 
with  it,  seeing  that  the  desire  for  victory  has  been 
so  honest  and  true.  In  others  there  is  a  spirit  of 
selfish  regret  when  the  disappointment  of  high 
expectation  is  endured  ;  they  intended  great  things, 
they  meant  to  soar  high,  to  leave  all  earthly  things 
behind,  to  bring  great  glory  to  the  Lord,  and  to 
achieve  mighty  acts ;  but  alas !  the  intention  is 
thwarted,  and  the  regret  is  not  really  the  pure 
sorrow  which  acts  only  in  reference  to  the  Lord's 
name,  it  is  the  grief  of  not  having  obtained  so 
8 


74  THE    HEARIS'S    CONTRITION. 

much  distinction  as  was  desired,  and  which,  in 
such  a  cause,  the  soul  concluded  it  might  rightfully 
expect.  Neither  is  it  unfrequent  that  a  corrupt 
mixture  of  despondency,  and  relaxation  of  zeal  is 
felt,  and  mortification  so  far  from  producing  increase 
of  sanctity,  leads  to  desperation  or  neglect.  These 
are  great  evils,  and  cannot  be  allowed  in  the  vessels 
of  mercy.  They  also  demonstrate  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  must  put  forth  further  acts  of  his  grace 
towards  the  soul,  ere  the  graces  of  humility  and 
contrition  are  secured. 

The  manner  in  which  this  further  step  is  pro- 
moted is  very  important  and  interesting :  nor  can 
it  be  better  understood  than  by  contemplating  the 
believer  in  those  exercises  which  such  an  oper- 
ation will  produce.  We  behold  him  under  this 
grace  ruminating  upon  the  experience  which  he 
has  passed  through,  and  reasoning  upon  the  results 
that  ought  to  follow.  Alas,  he  exclaims,  I  am 
indeed  a  hell-deserving  sinner  !  conceived  in 
iniquity,  stained  by  actual  ofience,  enslaved  by 
habits  of  my  own  inducing ;  I  have  made  efforts 
to  escape  my  sins  which  have  returned  upon  my 
own  head  in  confusion ;  I  strive  to  break  my 
bonds,  alas  !  they  are  rivitted  and  defy  my  puny 
effort ;  helpless,  ruined,  undone,  I  am  shut  up 
under  a  sense  of  condemnation  !  And  can  I  com- 
plain? Can  I  accuse  my  Maker?  Can  I  plead 
any  cause,  wherefore  it  should  be  better  with 
me  ?     Ah,  no  !  my  own  transgressions  have  taken 


THE  heart's  contrition.  75 

hold  upon  me.  /  have  been  with  those  who  have 
*'  drawn  iniquity  with  cords  of  vanity,  until  they 
have  assumed  the  form  of  a  cart  rope,"  Is.  v.  18. 
Here,  observe,  how  he  justifies  the  Lord.  Silenced 
and  abased  before  his  Judge,  he  puts  his  mouth 
in  the  dust,  and  answers  him  nothing.  And, 
although  baffled,  confounded,  and  distressed,  he 
is  ready  unfeignedly  to  exclaim  with  the  prophet, 
"  I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because 
I  have  sinned  against  him,  until  he  plead  my  cause." 
Micah  vii.  9. 

Behold  him  before  men.  Here  also  his  former 
efforts  for  victory  were  true  and  upright,  and  his 
anguish  at  disappointment  is  equally '  sincere  :  but 
he  is  now  enabled  to  detect  the  lurking  vanity 
and  self-seeking  which  mingled  with  his  pro- 
fession and  hopes.  For  this  he  is  ready  to  admit 
that  he  has  been  justly  mortified :  he  sits  in 
silent  meditation  upon  his  past  experience,  busily 
explores  the  hidden  recesses  of  his  heart,  seeks 
out  the  leaven  that  he  has  reason  to  believe  lay 
concealed  within  his  apparent  zeal  and  fervency ; 
and  discovering  the  accursed  thing  he  abhors  and 
loathes  himself  on  its  account.  Thus  he  writes 
bitter  things  against  himself.  Alas,  vain-glorious 
soul,  thy  aim  seemed  high,  but  thy  motives  were 
debased.  Thy  zeal  seemed  pure,  but  thy  object 
was  not  so  clearly  so.  Thy  own  consistency,  thy 
own  character,  thy  own  name  were  the  secret 
springs  of  action ;  and  thou  wert  seeking  smiles 
from   the    professing  world,    and    tributes    from 


76  THE    heart's    contrition. 

men  !  Take  then  thy  just  desert  !  Thus  self- 
convicted  and  self-loathed  the  spirit  becomes 
reduced,  the  heart  is  broken,  holy  silence  rests 
upon  the  lip,  and  there  is  now  an  end  to  alterca- 
tion, to  self-justifying,  to  fretful  discontent.  Ai! 
seems  to  be  less  of  punishment  than  has  been 
merited,  and  more  of  mercy  than  there  was  right 
to  expect.  And  under  accusations  from  men,  or 
distrust  from  the  church,  the  soul  is  little  inclined 
to  take  up  its  own  cause,  yea,  rather  turns  self- 
accuser  before  God,  and  is  humble  and  silent 
before  men.  Ps.  xxxviii.  18. 

Observe  him  in  the  unconquerable  nature  of  his 
holy  purposes :  perceiving  where  he  failed,  and  why, 
he  now  humbly  determines  to  use  his  experience, 
and  to  prosecute  his  way  in  more  dependence  ;  he 
adventures  forth  again  to  the  coallict,  but  he  care- 
fully resists  the  temptation  to  self-confidence  ;  his 
humble  resolve  is  to  undertake  nothing  without  a 
first  appeal  to  the  mercy  seat,  and  to  cultivate 
ejaculatory  prayer  as  an  habitual  attendant  upon  his 
way.  Thus  undiscouraged  and  undismayed,  he 
girds  on  his  weapons  with  adhering  faith  in  the  ever 
blessed  Saviour ;  and  whilst  he  has  learnt  to  re- 
nounce himself  in  a  spirit  of  unfeigned  contrition, 
he  lays  hold  upon  the  sufficiency  which  is  revealed 
to  him  in  his  Lord. 

These  are  evidently  peculiar  influences  belonging 
to  spiritual  operations  in  the  heavenly  life,  and  can- 
not be  properly  ascribed  to  any  other  power  but 


THE  heart's  contrition.  77 

that  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  discharge  of  his 
covenant  guardianship  of  an  elect  soul.  It  is  the 
prostration  of  self  in  the  dust.  It  is  the  exaltation 
of  the  righteousness  of  Jehovah  in  his  sovereign 
power.  It  is  the  spirit  of  penitence  mixed  with 
faith,  and  the  condition  of  one  who  is  brought  to 
bewail  his  own  nothingness  ;  but  to  be  content  to  be 
nothing,  that  Christ  may  be  all.  However  afflictive 
some  parts  of  this  experience  may  be,  it  is  not 
equally  so  with  that  described  in  our  last  subject. 
The  agonizing  storm,  that  beat  so  loudly  and  tem- 
pestuously in  the  moments  of  surprise  and  mortifi- 
cation, is  now  subsiding,  and  when  there  is  less  of 
self-estimation,  there  is  more  of  genuine  peace.  It 
is  not  to  be  said  that  in  this  frame  of  soul  we  con- 
template extensive  rest  or  repose,  but  there  is  a 
great  preparation  for  it ;  and  comparatively,  there 
is  a  possession  of  peace  not  known  in  the  pre- 
ceding steps. 

We  must  not  dismiss  this  part  of  our  investiga- 
tion of  the  believer's  progress  without  once  more 
reverting  to  what  has  been  stated  respecting  the 
source  from  whence  contrition  flows.  It  has  been 
asserted  that  this  disposition  is  a  covenant  provi- 
sion and  a  gift  from  above ;  and  it  is  necessary 
that  whilst  we  strenuously  insist  upon  this  truth, 
we  should  carefully  guard  against  a  mistake  into 
which  some  persons  have  fallen,  respecting  the 
attendant  responsibility  of  man.  We  are  not 
to  infer,  that  because  the  grace  of  Gontritioia 
&* 


78  THE   heart's    contrition. 

is  a  free  gift  of  the  covenant,  man  is  to  be 
considered  divested  of  his  responsibility :  he  is  a 
rational  creature,  and  as  such  he  is  amenable  to 
his  Creator,  and  answerable  for  the  use  of  those 
faculties  which  have  been  bestowed  upon  him. 
The  secret  counsels  of  God  respecting  his  people 
being  hid  from  us,  we  have  a  duty  incumbent 
upon  us  all  when  the  proclamation  of  warning, 
invitation,  or  promise  is  brought  within  our 
hearing,  to  consider  it  an  address  to  ourselves; 
for  since  these  are  couched  in  terms  of  general 
application,  and  at  the  same  time  specify  certain 
cases,  &c.  to  which  they  are  applicable,  (which 
cases  answer  to  our  own  visible  condition,)  we 
are  evidently  guilty  of  deliberate  contempt  of  the 
proclamation  if  we  refuse  to  hear,  and  on  this 
account  shall  be  finally  judged. 

This  is  evident  from  the  manner  in  which  the 
commission  is  given  to  men  who  are  appointed  to 
proclaim  the  gospel  salvation.  These  are  com- 
manded to  discharge  a  certain  duty:  they  are 
sent  upon  a  message,  but  not  entrusted  with  the 
secret  of  the  Lord,  so  as  to  know  by  whom  that 
message  will  be  received.  The  voice  is  to  be 
elevated,  and  the  tidings  made  known  to  men. 
There  is  indeed  a  lamentable  mistake  existing 
amongst  some  who  occupy  this  station,  who, 
looking  upon  the  covenant  in  its  relation  to  the 
elect,  overlook  the  method  which  God  has  pre- 
scribed for  proclaiming  salvation ;  and,  as  if  they 


THE  heart's  contrition.  79 

were  entrusted  with  the  secret,  they  deal  out  the 
testimony  to  such  as  they  esteem  to  be  the  elect, 
or  limit  their  ministration  to  the  church,  passing 
by  the  rest  of  the  world  as  comparatively  little 
worth  attention. 

This,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  is  an  error  of  judg- 
ment ;  for  the  scriptures  decidedly  instruct  us  upon 
this  point  in  a  way  which  ought  not  to  be  misunder- 
stood. Men  are  put  into  the  ministry  for  the  pur- 
pose of  gathering  in,  or  feeding  the  remnant.  It 
is  true  the  office  oi  feeding  the  flock,  and  of  dis- 
pensing bread  to  such  as  are  already  called  in,  may 
be  considered  as  most  precious,  and  a  delightful 
occupation  :  but  the  duty  of  seeking  up  the  scat- 
tered ones  is  equally  important  and  interesting. 
There  are  as  it  is  said,  "  Virgins  without  number," 
Can.  vi.  8.  that  is,  souls  that  are  yet  unespoused  to 
Christ  by  an  effectual  call  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
These  are  to  be  bidden  to  the  marriage,  and  com- 
pelled to  come  in.  Now,  it  is  not  by  a  bare  procla- 
mation of  privileges  that  this  is  usually  effected  ; 
for  sinners  must  be  addressed  correspondently  with 
their  condition  and  circumstances,  so  as  to  be  made 
to  recognize  their  own  character  as  addressed  with, 
"  thou  art  the  man."  Therefore  the  scriptures  are 
replenished  with  overtures  and  addresses  of  this 
description.  Some  in  our  day  have,  however,  in 
defiance  of  the  Bible  testimony  affirmed,  that  there 
is  no  such  method  adopted  in  the  scriptures. 
What,  then,  is  to  be  understood  of  these  express 


80  THE  heart's  contrition. 

passages,  "  And  hath  committed  to  us  the  word  of 
reeonciliation."  "  Now  then  we  are  ambassadors 
for  Christ ;  as  though  God  did  beseech  you  by  us, 
we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  Be  ye  reconciled  to 
God:'  2  Cor.  v.  19,  20.  "  We  then  as  workers 
together  with  him,  beseech  you  also,  that  ye  receive 
not  the  grace  of  God  (that  is  this  gracious  dispen- 
sation) in  vain."  2  Cor.  vi.  1.  "I  Paul,  myself 
beseech  you,''  2  Cor.  x.  1.  "I  beseech  you  there- 
fore by  the  mercies  of  God,"  &;c.  Rom.  xii.  1. 
"The  Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  Come,^  Rev.  xxii.  17. 
What  is  the  signification  of  those  entreaties,  remon- 
strances, tender  expostulations,  &c.  with  which  the 
Bible  ambassadors  filled  their  mouths  in  obedience 
to  the  divine  voice  speaking  by  them  ?  Thus, 
"  Turn  ye,  turn  ye,  why  will  ye  die,"  Ezek.  xxxiii. 
1 1.  "  Repent  and  turn  yourselves,"  Ezek.  xiv.  6. 
"  Repent,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand," 
Matt.  iii.  2.  A  method  adopted  by  our  Lord  him- 
self. Matt.  iv.  17.  and  enjoined  by  him  to  his  com- 
missioned witnesses,  Luke  xxiv.  47.  Rev.  ii.  8. 
iii.  3,  19.  That  the  ambassadors  themselves  thus 
understood  their  office  is  manifest.  Then  Peter 
exhorted  the  multitude,  "  Repent  and  be  baptized 
every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  for 
the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  Holy 
Ghost,"  Acts  ii.  38.  "  Repent  ye,  therefore,  and 
be  converted,  that  your  sins  may  be  blotted  out," 
Acts  iii.  19.  "  But  now  God  commandeth  all  men 
every  where  to  repent^"  Acts  xvii.  3G.     "  Testifying, 


THE    heart's    contrition.  81 

both  to  the  Jews  and  also  to  the  Greeks,  repentance 
towards  God,  and  faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,"  Acts  xx.  21.  And  even  in  the  instance  of 
the  wretched  Simon,  the  sense  of  responsibihty  was 
urged  home,  and  he  was  exhorted  both  to  ?-epent.  and 
to  pray,  Acts  viii.  22.  These  considerations  should 
be  laid  up  as  a  shield  against  erroneous  opinions 
and  false  statements,  especially  as  the  opinion 
of  those  who  limit  their  addresses  is  presented 
under  the  plausible  notion  of  exalting  the  covenant, 
whereas  it  is  a  limitation  of  the  ministry  to  one 
branch  of  the  service,  and  an  interference  with  the 
mode  appointed  by  the  Lord.  Congregations  are 
composed  of  two  parts  : — the  church,  or  persons 
already  savingly  influenced,  who  must  receive  the 
food  suitable  to  their  advance  and  consolation  ;  and 
those  who  are  yet  in  a  state  of  ignorance  or  inde- 
cision, who  must  be  warned,  encouraged,  and 
pressed  upon  the  grounds  whereby  they  may  ap- 
pear most  likely  to  be  arrested.  This  is  the  scrip- 
tural method  of  discharging  the  duties  of  an 
ambassador.  And  this  gives  most  glory  to  God, 
leaving  it  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  work  invisibly  and 
invincibly  as  he  pleases,  whilst  he  as  an  ambassa- 
dor goes  forth  on  his  way  wv)iking  with  persevering 
charity  and  hope. 

Our  subject  upon  the  will,  will  manifest  that  we 
do  not  by  this  reasoning  ascribe  any  thing  to  man, 
of  merit,  power,  or  right  upon  this  subject ;  but  as 
he  is  always  addressed,  and  to  be  judged,  as  an  in- 


82  THE  heart's  contritioit. 

telligent  creature,  it  becomes  needful  to  shew  him 
that  as  such  he  is  bound  to  seek,  to  knock,  to  ask. 
Matt.  vii.  7.  And  that  not  doing  so,  he  will  be 
condemned  for  his  unbelief  and  disobedience. 
Prov.  i.  23—29. 

Let  us  on  this  occasion  put  the  inquiry  to  our 
own  hearts,  of  whether  we  are  discharging  this 
responsibility,  whether  as  rational  creatures  we  are 
making  trial  of  the  overtures  of  mercy  proclaimed 
in  the  gospel,  being  persuaded  that  whilst  continu- 
ing unaffected  and  uninterested,  we  are  manifestly 
in  a  perishing  state,  and  are  dooming  ourselves 
to  perdition  ?  Opportunities  are  rapidly  passing 
away,  let  them  be  seized  ere  they  are  past  for  ever. 
Isa.  Iv.  6. 

But  possibly  the  former  part  of  this  subject  is 
most  applicable  to  us.  We  have  heard  and  obeyed 
the  call,  we  have  contended  with  our  spiritual 
adversaries,  we  have  had  experience  in  the  battle. 
O  should  this  indeed  be  our  case,  let  us  increas- 
ingly cherish  whatever  may  promote  self-emptiness, 
taking  up  all  our  mortifying  experiences  as  ser- 
viceable for  the  reduction  of  pride,  vanity,  and 
love  of  human  applause ;  and  striving  to  demon- 
strate more  decidedly  that  we  have  been  taught 
to  appreciate  the  covenant  provision  of  strength 
in  the  Lord.  This  is  a  state  of  soul  highly  esti- 
mated by  its  divine  Author  ;  and  blessed  promises 
are  given  for  the  consolation  of  all  who  in  this 
sense    possess    a   broken    and    a   contrite    heart. 


THE  heart's  contrition.  83 

"Thus  saith  the  high  and  lofty  One  that  inhabit- 
eth  eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy ;  I  dwell  in  the 
high  and  holy  place,  with  him  also  that  is  of  an 
humble  and  contrite  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of 
the  humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite 
ones.  For  I  will  not  contend  for  ever."  Isa.  Ivii, 
15,  16. 


THE  POURING  FORTH  OF  THE  HEART 
BEFORE  THE  LORD. 

Lam.  ii.  19. 

We  must  here  pursue  our  inquiry  into  the  experi- 
ence of  the  pilgrim,  as  following  upon  that  state  of 
contrition  which  he  learns  through  the  sanctified 
use  of  spiritual  mortification.  We  have  seen  him, 
under  a  sense  of  his  own  impotency  in  the  warfare, 
humbled  and  laid  low  before  the  Lord ;  and  we 
have  contemplated  him  in  the  midst  of  internal 
contrition,  bursting  from  his  heart  in  expressive 
sighs  which  proclaim  his  soul's  distress.  But  this  is 
not  the  full  result  of  such  exercises ;  there  is  a  yet 
further  demonstration  of  penitence  and  faith,  which 
is  to  be  considered  as  belonging  to  an  advancement 
in  the  way.  Abased  and  humbled  as  he  is,  and 
made  willing  to  receive  the  most  painful  accusa- 
tions of  personal  guilt  and  desert  of  punishment,  he 
is  not  hereby  rendered  reserved  with  his  God.  The 
same  Holy  Spirit,  who  is  the  author  of  his  contri- 
tion, is  the  author  also  of  his  confidential  affiance  ; 
in  which  disposition,  he  comes  to  a  state,  which 
we  may  describe  as  the  pouring  forth  of  the  heart 
before  the  Lord. 


THE    POURING    FORTH    OF   THE    HEART.  85 

It  is  highly  interesting  to  observe  how  much  this 
is  a  frame  of  soul,  generated  and  maintained  in 
conversion :  and  that  notwithstanding  the  most 
terrible  experience  of  self-abasement,  there  is  a 
filial  spirit  always,  in  some  degree,  in  operation  ; 
so  that  the  believer  can  exclaim,  "  Though  he  slay 
me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him."  "  I  will  trust  under 
the  covert  of  thy  wings."  "  I  will  trust,  and  not 
be  afraid."  See  Job.  xiii.  15.  Ps.  Ixi.  4.  Is.  xii.  2. 

The  manner  in  which  this  disposition  is  main- 
tained should  always  be  kept  in  view,  more  par- 
ticularly when  we  are  considering  the  progressive 
advance  of  the  life  of  faith,  for  the  proportion 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  believer  will  invariably  prove 
to  be  according  to  the  clearness  of  his  vision 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  in  his  person  and  offices. 
It  is  the  purpose  of  the  Holy  Ghost  always 
to  present  Christ  to  the  eye  of  faith.  The 
very  spirit  of  prophecy  is  the  testimony  of  Jesus ; 
and  the  office  of  the  Spirit  is  peculiarly  to  testify 
of  Christ.  And  although,  in  all  the  different 
stages  we  have  examined  in  the  past  subjects, 
each  gracious  operation  is  to  be  considered  as 
descending  upon  the  soul  in  virtue  of  the  Lord's 
finishing  work  and  mediatorial  reign,  it  is  requisite 
that  there  should  be  a  more  distinct  manifestation 
of  the  cross  than  has  hitherto  appeared  in  these 
stages.  If  we  look  back  upon  the  statement  it 
will  appear  that  the  soul  has  hitherto  been  chiefly 
occupied  by  the  painful  contemplation  of  self. 
In  this  engagement  he  has  found  work  enough  to 
9 


86  THE    POURING    FORTH 

engross  his  thoughts,  excepting  only  as  doctrinal 
truths  have  occasionally  come  in,  either  to  convict 
him  more  deeply,  or  to  sustain  him  by  passing 
consolation.  In  many  parts  of  his  way  he  has 
been  something  like  Israel,  led  and  conducted  by 
the  Saviour,  but  ignorant  of  the  hand  that  w^as 
guiding  him.  Hosea  xi.  3.  And,  as  the  Ulnd, 
led  by  a  roay  that  was  not  understood  or  fully 
appreciated.  Isaiah  xlii.  16.  But  this  is  not  to 
be  admitted  as  an  abiding  condition.  Since  we, 
who  were  once  alienated  and  strangers  to  God, 
are  brought  nigh  only  by  the  blood  of  the  Mediator, 
it  is  requisite  that  we  should  spiritually  discern 
the  truth,  and  be  admitted  into  the  further  liberty 
which  such  discoveries  produce.  For  this  end 
the  Holy  Spirit  proceeds  to  conduct  the  soul  to 
those  blessed  heights  of  Calvary  whereon  Jesus 
crucified  may  be  contemplated,  and  sin  felt  in  con- 
nection with  a  sight  of  its  great  antidote  in  Christ. 
It  is  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  that  we  learn  the  essen- 
tial truths  of  revelation  effectually  and  savingly. 
Our  Lord  has  testified,  '*  No  man  knoweth  the 
Father,  save  the  Son,  and  he  to  whom  the 
Son  shall  reveal  him."  This  revelation  is  given 
through  the  exhibition  of  the  great  sacrifice: 
and  therefore  whatever  belongs  to  powerful  dis- 
coveries of  Jehovah  in  his  covenant  character, 
and  sovereign  glory,  must  be  sought  and  received 
through  Jesus  crucified.  It  is  hereby  that  the 
mind  is  filled  with  just  apprehensions  of  the 
righteousness  of  the  eternal  name.    The  believer 


OP   THE    HEART    BEFORE    THE    LORD.  87 

standing  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  lifts  his  eyes  to 
that  amazing  spectacle  which  is  before  him  on  the 
tree.  Until  now  he  had  obtained  his  views  of 
justice  through  the  medium  of  Sinai's  lowering 
clouds  and  thunders,  and  by  the  condemning  law  set 
home  upon  his  alarmed  conscience  :  but  now  he 
perceives  by  the  groans  of  Calvary,  an  extent  of 
this  awful  attribute  hitherto  unconceived.  The 
costliness  of  the  offering  which  justice  required, 
fills  him  with  awe ;  he  hears  the  commission 
"Awake,  O  sword,  against  the  man  that  is  my 
fellow,  saith  the  Lord."  Zech.  xiii.  7.  And  con- 
templating the  attendant  manifestation  of  the 
unrelaxing  severity  of  the  righteous  demand  for 
satisfaction  to  the  law,  and  atonement  for  offended 
holiness,  his  thoughts  are  enlarged  into  afl^ecting 
conceptions  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  the  sanctity  of 
him  against  whom  it  is  committed.  Here  he 
beholds  sin  condemned  in  the  flesh,  even  in  him 
who  is  the  Holv  One,  but  on  whom  the  weight 
of  imputed  guilt  was  laid  ;  he  shudders  at  the 
frightful  exposure  of  his  ovm  desert,  whilst  he 
looks  upon  it  as  endured  by  his  surety ;  and  he 
prostrates  his  soul  before  the  Just  God.  But 
justice  alone  is  not  the  object  which  arrests  his 
attention ;  love  in  all  its  inconceivable  heights 
and  depths  is  here  displayed.  That  the  dreadful 
judge  should  have  voluntarily  provided  an  expiation 
for  the  crimes  of  the  criminal ;  that  since  nothing 
short  of  the  sacrifice  of  the  eternal  Son  could 
suffice,  that  Son  should  be  given;    that  this  gift 


88 


THE    POURING    FORTH 


should  be  bestowed  for  transgressors,  who  were  in 
arms  against  the  law  and  the  lawgiver;  and  that 
foes  should  be  the  subject  of  this  grace,  demon- 
strates so  vast  an  excellence  in  the  love  of  God, 
as  overwhelms  the  soul  in  wonder,  praise,  and 
gratitude.  When  in  addition  to  this  he  considers 
the  tenderness  of  Jesus'  breast ;  how  he  was  no 
forced  sacrifice,  but  the  willing  atonement,  coming 
forth  in  his  own  voluntary  purpose  of  grace, 
and  persisting  in  that  purpose  ;  rising  superior  to 
all  obstacles,  all  sufferings,  and  yielding  himself 
up  in  unconquerable  love  for  man :  manifestations 
such  as  these,  open  a  new  world  upon  his  admiring 
mind,  and  at  the  same  time  present  a  forcible 
arrest  upon  his  affections,  all  tending  to  awaken 
within  him  afresh  the  retrospective  acts  by  which 
he  looks  upon  his  past  transgressions,  his  aliena- 
tion, his  impenitency,  his  obduracy,  now  rising 
before  him  in  deeper  malignity,  as  committed 
against  such  justice — such  love — such  tender- 
ness ! 

But  here  let  us  observe  it  is  a  loving  grief  that 
runs  through  the  soul.  A  sight  of  God  in  Christ  so 
revealed  persuades  of  grace  and  willingness  to 
pardon  and  to  bless ;  a  stream  of  sacred  hope 
cheers  and  revives  the  spirit ;  and  in  tliis  frame  of 
mind  encouragement  and  motive  is  given  for  pour- 
ing forth  the  heart  ? 

Let  our  attention  be  fixed  upon  the  interesting 
object  which  is  now  to  be  contemplated  in  the 
believer  himself:   in  whose   bosom  there   is   now 


OF   THE    HEART    BEFORE    THE    LORD.  89 

awakened  glowing  expectations  and  hopes.  He 
now  ventures  to  look  forth  from  his  own  heart, 
and  comparatively  to  forget  himself  in  the  Lord : 
he  sees  and  feels  his  sin  with  inward  anguish,  but 
he  also  beholds  the  all-sufficient  antidote  ;  round 
the  foot  of  the  cross  we  hear  the  lowly  voice 
murmurinj;  its  tender  distress  and  heartfelt 
importunity.  Amidst  these  sacred  sounds  we 
listen  to  the  touching  expression — "  Lord,  I  am 
sick ;"  and  with  it  we  hear  the  connected  appeal, 
*'  My  sickness  cure !"  No  words  of  scripture 
can  describe  his  spiritual  disease  in  stronger  terms 
than  he  is  ready  to  admit.  He  feels  that  there  is 
no  soundness,  no  health  in  him  :  but  he  has  noW 
a  faith  in  the  promise,  which  animates  him  to 
seek  its  application.  The  Lord  has  engaged  to 
strengthen  that  which  is  sick,  to  heal  that  which 
is  diseased,  and  expressly  engages  "I  will  bring 
it  health  and  cure."  On  this  promise  he  rests 
with  grateful  desire :  and,  beholding  the  opened 
medium  through  which  this  salvation  is  extended, 
he  entreats  that  it  may  come  to  him.  But  sickness 
is  not  all  he  has  to  confess :  he  perceives  tliat  in 
his  disease  there  is  filthiness,  defilement,  infec- 
tion ;  and  deeply  convicted  on  this  ground,  he  is 
heard  to  plead,  "Lord,  I  am  unclean;  O  make 
me  clean."  His  faith  lays  hold  upon  the  fulness 
of  the  opened  fountain,  wherein  there  is  not  only 
blood  to  expiate,  but  to  relieve  and  purify  also: 
and  he  urges  his  suit,  that  if  the  ashes  of  an 
heifer  under  the  law  availed  towards  those  who 
9* 


90  THE    POURING    FORTH 

were  ceremonially  unclean,  much  more  the  sacri- 
fice of  the  great  substance  of  those  shadows  may- 
be pleaded  for  purity  and  peace  of  conscience. 
Experience  such  as  we  have  contemplated  in  the 
Christian's  course,  will  furnish  such  an  one  with 
further  arguments  and  earnest  supplication;-  We 
hear  him  bewailing,  Lord  I  am  weak ;  Thou 
knowest  my  inability  to  work  the  work  of  God ; 
I  cannot  believe  ;  I  cannot  contend  ;  I  cannot 
succeed,  unless  thou  art  my  help ;  O  strengthen 
my  strengthless  soul :  and  as  this  is  the  method 
by  which  thou  art  magnified,  shew  it  in  me,  the 
weakest  of  thy  helpless  sheep.  Thou  knowest  it 
to  be  needful,  since  I  wrestle  with  foes  that  are 
mighty,  and  struggle  with  fetters  that  are  strong. 
And  hear  my  further  suit :  since  thou  art  rich 
and  I  am  poor,  O  make  me  rich  !  Thou  hast 
taught  me  that  I  am  "  miserable,  and  poor,  and 
naked,"  but  thou  hast  also  declared  how  thou 
didst  humble  thyself  for  the  purpose  of  elevating 
thy  people  to  a  share  in  thy  possessions ;  O  give 
me  this  heritage,  and  thus  cause  my  soul  to  forget 
its  poverty,  and  to  rejoice  ! 

Such  is  the  language  of  a  soul  under  these 
divine  operations.  It  is  the  pouring  forth  of 
penitence,  the  utterance  of  contrition,  the  faith 
which  appreciates  the  atonement,  and  the  love  that 
longs  to  make  it  its  own. 

It  is  true  the  manner  in  which  these  affections 
are  expressed  may  differ,  according  to  the  mea- 
sure of  faith,  or  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 


OF  THE  HEART  BEFORE  THE  LORD.     91 

Sometimes  they  are  expressed  in  the  fulness  of 
emphatic  words,  and  out  of  the  abundance  of  the 
heart  utterance  flows  freely.  At  other  times  they 
find  no  suitable  clothing  save  that  of  groaning  and 
tears,  the  Spirit  within  making  intercession  with 
groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered.  But  the 
desires  are  the  same,  and  the  spirit  speaketh 
before  God  who  readeth  the  heart's  emotion,  and 
listeneth  to  the  expressive  sigh.  There  are  two 
things  however,  wherein  no  difference  is  discov- 
erable when  the  soul  is  thus  influenced.  There 
will  always  be  faith  in  the  sufficiency  of  the  anti- 
dote, and  desire  to  aj)j)ropriaie  its  virtue.  The 
teachings  which  come  from  the  anointing  are 
always  such  as  demonstrate  that  Christ  is  an 
all-prevailing  propitiation.  And  in  this  degree  of 
experience,  it  is  understood,  that  he  has  obtained 
an  everlasting  priesthood,  wherefore  he  is  able  to 
save  to  the  uttermost  all  that  come  unto  God  by 
him.  The  nature  of  the  foundation  laid  in  Zion, 
the  prevailing  character  of  the  mediatorial  reign, 
the  security  of  such  as  are  interested  in  the 
covenant,  are  truths  which  faith  now  apprehends. 
There  is  therefore  no  hesitation  upon  this  point ; 
the  solicitude  of  the  soul  is  that  it  may  be  felt  and 
applied  to  itself;  and  this  is  expressed  in  appeals 
like  that  of  the  leper  of  old,  "  Lord  if  thou  wilt 
thou  canst  make  me  clean." 

We  must  not  however  lose  sight  of  the  affectins; 
truth,  that  in  every  period  of  Christian  experience 
there  remains  the  hfe  of  old  principles  belonging 


92  THE    POURING    FORTH. 

to  the  flesh,  and  that  upon  these  Satan  will  act, 
so  that  the  soul  has  to  encounter  the  combined 
forces  of  these  adversaries  to  peace  at  all  times, 
and  never  more  so  than  in  the  particular  period 
now^  described.  By  these  pov^ers  of  darkness  the 
efforts  of  faith  are  resisted,  and  fain  would  they 
prevail  to  darken  the  cross  and  throw  an  obscurity 
upon  the  doctrines  that  it  proclaims.  For  this 
end  attempts  are  made  to  work  upon  the  mind 
through  human  opinions  and  injudicious  state- 
ments, so  as  to  produce  prejudice  against  the 
revelation  or  misconception  of  its  tendency.  If 
this  will  not  prevail,  it  is  attempted  to  insinuate, 
that  although  the  doctrines  are  in  themselves  un- 
objectionable, in  their  aj^plication  they  are  ques- 
tionable, and  that  in  respect  of  the  case  of  this 
individual  soul  not  to  be  appropriated.  In  some 
instances  the  assault  may  be  of  a  perfectly  dif- 
ferent description,  the  endeavour  of  the  enemy 
being  rather  to  decrease  the  sense  of  sin,  than  to 
aggravate  the  distress  of  the  mind.  Advantage 
for  this  assault  is  sometimes  given  from  the  very 
circumstance  of  the  greatness  of  preceding  con- 
victions. There  is  such  a  thing  as  a  soul  despe- 
rately disposed  to  harden  itself  in  sorrow,  as  Job 
expresses  it.  Job  vi.  10.  dreading  the  misery  which 
a  sense  of  guilt  produces,  and  hence  fearing  to 
admit  the  anguish  which  it  demands.  Thus 
human  reasonings,  exercises,  or  evasions  may 
be  imposed  upon  the  soul  in  place  of  a  dispo- 
sition to  pour  forth  the   heart   before   the   Lord. 


OF  THE  HEART  BEFORE  THE  LORD.     93 

But  suppose  none  of  these  temptations  present 
themselves  ;  we  know  that  every  behever  is  Hable 
to  the  state  of  inconsistency  which  frequently 
follows  upon  seasons  of  prostration.  Too  often 
the  tenderness  which  was  felt  to  soften  every  feel- 
ing of  the  heart  is  strangely  succeeded  by  cold- 
ness ;  the  awe  with  which  the  divine  glory  was 
contemplated  gives  place  to  surprising  indifference. 
The  eye  that  was  singly  bent  upon  the  one 
attractive  object  is  miserably  diverted  from  its 
simplicity ;  and  the  scripture  rebuke  and  exhor- 
tations become  affectingly  applicable.  Every 
well  experienced  soul  will  be  aware  of  this  truth  ; 
and  if  he  has  been  observant  of  his  own  heart  will 
have  discovered  that  even  the  foot  of  the  cross  is 
not  a  region  where  spiritual  enemies  will  not  dare 
to  intrude,  neither  are  the  moments  cf  the  out- 
pouring of  the  heart  free  from  the  attempts  of  an 
indwelling,  and  watchful  foe.  Whilst  therefore 
we  behold  the  pilgrim  with  a  sympathetic  joy  that 
he  has  so  far  reached  a  blessed,  sacred  spot,  and 
traversed  his  way  successfully  ;  whilst  we  listen 
to  his  opened  heart  made  known  by  a  strain  of 
peculiar  sweetness  which  none  but  the  Holy  Ghost 
can  call  forth  from  his  bosom  ;  we  must  unite  the 
recollection  of  his  native  instability,  exposure, 
and  dependence,  and  understand  that  he  has  not 
this  experience  without  his  accompanying  perils 
and  need  for  vigilance. 

This    subject     principally     addresses    itself   to 
believers.     It  describes  an  experience  which  none 


94  THE   POURING  FORTH 

can  properly  comprehend  but  such  as  are  regene- 
rate. Testimonies  of  this  nature  may  be  said  to 
be  amongst  the  things  bound  up  and  sealed  among 
the  disciples.  Isa.  viii.  16.  We  should  therefore 
be  exceedingly  solicitous  to  determine  whether 
we  are  savingly  acquainted  with  any  of  these 
peculiarities. 

In  the  first  place  ever  bearing  in  mind  that  the 
great  end  of  revelation  is  the  exhibition  of  God's 
dear  Son  in  the  covenant  of  life,  and  the  great 
relation  he  bears  to  creation.  When  individually 
examining  our  state,  enquiries  should  be  pressed 
home  upon  our  discoveries  on  this  particular.  We 
should  ask  if  our  conflicts,  our  contrition,  and 
profession  have  been  sanctified  to  bring  us  to  this 
blessed  object,  so  that  we  are  laid  low  at  the  foot 
of  the  cross  ?  Whether  in  this  attitude  v.'8  are  in 
truth  relinquishing  every  hope  of  salvation  save 
what  is  found  in  the  great  provision  of  the  sacri- 
fice, there  exclaiming  in  the  sincerity  of  a  humbled 
soul,  "  truly  in  vain  is  salvation  hoped  for  from 
the  hills,  truly  in  the  Lord  our  God  alone  is 
salvation  !"  Jer.  iii  '23.  Whether,  whilst  thus 
admitting  the  truth  doctrinally,  we  are  exercising 
hope  therein  individual Itj,  receiving  this  testimony 
as  God  hath  proclaimed  it  in  its  freeness  and  ful- 
ness for  the  chief  of  sinners?  Meeting  the  merci- 
ful proclamation,  that  in  Christ  as  the  eternal 
rock  the  soul  may  securely  anchor,  and  that  he 
will  never  cast  out  one  who  comes  thus  unto  him. 
Heb.  vi.  16,  17. 


.  OF  THE  HEART  BEFOKE  THE  LORD.     95 

We  should  also  endeavour  always  to  obtain  our 
views  of  sin  through  the  medium  of  the  cross,  not 
in  tiie  mere  letter  of  the  law,  but  in  this  awful 
exhibition  of  all  that  attends  its  sacred  character 
and  divine  sanction.  Such  views  are  best  calcu- 
lated to  cherish  real  contrition,  and  to  fill  us  with 
liberty  also  :  so  that  whilst  conscious  of  our  own 
desert  we  may  also  speak  unto  God  in  the  language 
of  filial  trust.  This  pouring  forth  of  the  4ieart 
ought  to  be  habitually  practised  :  we  should 
therefore  look  well  to  our  course,  and  examine  if 
we  are  thus  engaged  each  day  of  our  pilgrimage : 
at  the  same  time  seizing  upon  every  occasion 
wherein  the  exercise  is  especially  required.  Such 
occasions  will  arise.  Times  of  sorrow,  seasons  of 
conflict,  and  alas  !  sometimes  sad  evidences  of  sin. 
And  under  these  no  refuge  can  be  found  except 
our  God.  No  comfort  but  that  which  is  derived 
from  our  living  Head.  To  whom  therefore  should 
we  go  ?  None  but  Jesus  can  relieve,  and  to  none 
should  we  pour  forth  the  heart  with  so  much  con- 
fidential trust.  As  this  is  one  of  the  first  acts  of 
genuine  faith,  so  let  it  be  one  of  the  last  in  every 
stage  of  pilgrimage  ;  reserve  or  distance  with  the 
Lord  being  dreaded  as  a  grievous  evil,  and  the 
searchings  of  his  Spirit  admitted  as  our  greatest 
good. 

And  should  we  not  be  able  at  all  times  to  pour 
forth  the  heart  with  liberty  of  words,  let  us  beware 
of  undervaluing  the  heart's  sighs  and  groans.  The 
Lord  has  no  need  of  words  in  order  to  understand 


96  THE    POURING    FORTH    OP   THE    HEART. 

what  we  would  have  and  desire.  Therefore  we 
must  not  fall  into  the  sin  of  despondency,  as  if  he 
would  be  inattentive  to  the  voice  of  our  sorrowing 
heart. 

Should  we  be  privileged  to  trace  our  own  like- 
ness in  these  particulars,  let  us  not  refuse  the 
cordial  cup.  We  need  the  consolations  of  the 
Spirit  in  such  a  world  as  this  ;  and  if  we  possess  a 
Scripture  warrant  to  receive  them,  why  are  we 
foolish  enough  to  hesitate  ?  Distressed  perhaps 
we  are  and  may  yet  be,  but  possessions  such  as 
have  been  described  do  not  belong  to  a  state  of 
nature,  we  therefore  may  take  comfort. 

Should  we  be  destitute  of  such  distinctions  let 
us  be  alarmed  by  the  discovery,  and  desire  a  sight 
of  Jesus  such  as  saints  have  had ;  and  ask  the 
Holy  Spirit's  guiding  grace,  for  he  alone  can  bring 
us  to  the  cross.  He  will  not  reject  the  upright 
cry ;  let  him  hear  it  ascending  from  the  ground  of 
our  heart. 


THE  SURRENDER  OF  THE  HEART  IN 
DEVOTION  TO  THE  LORD. 

Canticles  vii.  8. 

*' J  am  my  beloved^s." 

We  considered  in  our  last  subject  the  divine  opera- 
tion of  grace  effectually  conducting  the  believer  to 
the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  there  pouring  forth  spir- 
itual illumination  to  the  increased  view  of  the 
divine  perfections.  Justice  and  love  more  espe- 
cially giving  forth  their  glorious  beams  from  the 
spectacle  exhibited  on  the  tree.  In  this  situation 
the  evil  of  sin  as  committed  against  the  Holy  One, 
attended  with  believing  perception  of  tlie  effica- 
cious antidote  provided  in  the  propitiation,  were 
considered  as  principal  subjects  of  interest  and 
revelation  to  the  believing  soul,  encouraging  the 
confidential  expression  of  importunate  desires  after 
the  blessing,  in  a  full  disclosure  and  pouring  forth 
of  the  heart.  In  connexion  with  this  experience, 
there  is  another  blessed  influence  derived  from  the 
sight  of  the  cross,  forming  a  distinct  and  important 
branch  of  experience.  It  consists  of  a  fervent  de- 
sire for  union  with  Christ,  and  for  the  sense  of  that 
union  shed  abroad  within  the  heart,  differing  from 
10 


98 


THE    SURRENDER    OF    THE    HEART 


the  mere  expression  or  desire  after  the  benefits  of 
redemption,  and  arising  out  of  strong,  genuine, 
and  disinterested  love.  It  has  been  argued  by- 
many,  that  an  affection  to  Christ  cannot  exist 
separately  from  the  notion  of  some  benefit  or 
advantage  procured  to  the  soul  by  him,  and  that 
it  is  impossible  to  dissever  the  ideas  of  love  and 
personal  benefit.  Unquestionably  the  sense  of 
Christ's  redeeming  grace,  and  a  solicitous  desire 
for  its  application,  necessarily  belong  to  a  chris- 
tian existence,  and  will  necessarily  inspire  the 
affection  of  gratitude  in  the  believer's  heart.  But 
this  is  not  the  whole  extent  of  that  feeling  which 
is  wrought  by  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  soul.  There 
is  undoubtedly  such  a  view  given  of  the  personal 
excellency  of  Christ,  as  serves  to  attract  the  affec- 
tions to  the  blessed  object  for  what  he  is  in  himself, 
independently  of  his  grace  manifested  to  ourselves 
individually :  and  without  this  we  appear  to  be 
defective  in  one  of  the  most  essential  parts  of 
genuine  love,  and  admiration  of  the  eternal  son. 
If  we  examine  the  nature  of  this  degree  of  expe- 
rience, we  shall  obtain  some  satisfaction  upon  this 
point. 

In  the  first  place,  it  arises  out  of  a  spiritual 
discernment  into  the  extent  of  Christ's  act  of  love 
and  condescension  to  man,  in  which  the  believer 
discovers  an  excellency  that  absorbs  his  thoughts, 
and  turns  him  upon  intense  wonder  and  praise. 
He  is  now  (if  we  may  so  speak)  at  leisure,  or 
willing  to  look  off  from  himself  in  some  degree, 


IN    DEVOTION    TO    THE    LORD.  99 

and  to  admit  the  attractive  power  of  the  Lord. 
Hitherto  he  has  been  almost  engrossed  by  his 
own  concerns  and  miseries,  but  now  he  can 
suspend  these  anxious  cares,  because  he  experi- 
ences the  rising  of  a  vehement  and  strong  impulse 
towards  Christ,  before  unknown.  The  unreserv- 
edness  of  the  Lord's  love  fills  him  with  wonder: 
he  beholds  him  readily  giving  himself,  and  with- 
out any  compromise  freely  devoting  his  own  most 
holy  person  for  the  salvation  of  men.  A  new  light 
now  breaks  upon  him  from  the  scripture  testimony, 
that  thus  he  gave  himself;  and  he  remembers 
with  rapture  the  several  passages  which  proclaim 
this  gift.  Gal.  i.  4.  Titus  ii.  14.  Ephes.  v.  25. 
These  affections  are  increased  through  the  ad- 
vanced  understanding  he  possesses  of  the  nature  of 
Christ,  both  as  it  respects  his  self-existent  glory, 
and  his  relative  office  as  Messiah.  He  is  now 
possessed  of  high  discoveries  into  the  sublime 
truths  which  respect  the  sovereign  majesty  of  the 
eternal  Son,  and  with  sacred  impressions  of  the 
mediatorial  kingdom  which  is  established  in 
Christ.  What  then  are  the  emotions  of  his  soul, 
when  he  reads  that  in  him  there  is  a  glory 
reserved  for  the  people  of  God,  which  shall  dignify 
them  with  a  full  participation  of  his  honour  ? 
He  dwells  upon  the  testimony  "  if  children,  then 
heirs,  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ." 
He  discovers  in  this  passage  a  covenant  purpose, 
that  would  not  be  admissible,  were  not  the 
testimony  from   God    himself.      The    heirship  of 


100  THE    SURRENDER    OF    THE    HEART 

of  Christ  is  vast,  and  great,  and  unbounded ;  he 
is  Head  and  Lord  of  creation  by  this  peculiar 
right,  Heb.  i.  2,  and  shall  spread  his  rule  over 
all.  The  thought  of  participation  in  this  rule, 
would  be  deemed  blasphemous  had  it  not  been 
appointed  of  God.  And  wonderful  indeed  does 
that  declaration  appear,  wherein  Jesus  says,  "  To 
him  that  overcometb,  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me 
in  my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am 
set  down  with  my  Father  in  his  throne."  Rev. 
iii.  21.  "To  him  will  I  give  power  over  the 
nations,  and  he  shall  rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron : 
as  the  vessels  of  a  potter  shall  they  be  broken  to 
shivers,  even  as  I  received  of  my  Father.  And 
I  will  give  him  the  morning  star."  Rev.  ii.  26 — 28. 
Amazing  words  of  grace  !  incomprehensible  dig- 
nity of  the  saints  I  exalting  the  saved  in  their 
glorious  Head,  and  exalting  that  Head  in  the 
affection  of  his  saints,  as  having  so  much  power, 
so  much  grace,  and  so  much  condescension. 
These  emotions  are  kindled  into  a  yet  higher 
flame,  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  glory  of 
Messiah  is  founded  in  blood:  that  the  relative 
dignity  which  he  possesses,  as  mediator,  is  con- 
firmed on  the  foundation  of  his  own  finished  work ; 
and  that  on  the  same  foundation  the  glory  of  his 
people  is  established.  These  are  thoughts  which 
fill  the  soul  with  tenderness,  united  with  admira- 
tion, and  prepare  the  way  for  the  developement  of 
that  feeling  which  we  are  now  investigating. 
The  firm  belief  of  these  truths,  set  home  by  infime- 


IN    DEVOTION    TO    THE    LORD.  101 

diate  views  of  the  dying  Lamb,  has  a  wonderfully 
magnetic  power,  attracting  the  heart  that  has 
been  touched  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  drawing' it  irre- 
sistibly to  the  Lord,  and  filling  the  mouth  with 
the  ready  expression  of  its  tribute.  The  language 
of  the  spouse  is  now  comprehensible  in  the  fullest 
sense,  and  the  Saviour,  thus  contemplated,  is 
confessed  to  be  both  "  white  and  ruddy,"  "  the 
chiefest  among  ten  thousand  and  altogether 
lovely."  Experience  now  throws  its  powerful 
interpretation  upon  the  mystic  words.  The 
whiteness  of  his  immaculate  innocence  is  rendered 
more  touchingly  lovely,  by  the  crimson  stains 
with  which  his  own  blood  has  dyed  the  offering ; 
and  truly  does  the  heart  now  appreciate  the  words 
which  describe  the  saint's  devoted  estimation  of 
the  Lord,  exclaiming  with  the  rest  of  believing 
souls,  "  Who  is  like  unto  thee."  Thus  we  per- 
ceive that  the  excellency  of  the  object  has  its 
claim  upon  our  love  answered,  and  that,  distinct 
from  the  idea  of  personal  advantage,  there  is  a 
surrender  of  the  heart  as  captivated  by  the  mani- 
festation of  Christ ! 

In  the  next  place,  we  must  observe  that  love 
of  this  description  will  generate  desires  after  the 
possession  of  the  object  beloved.  Not  with  the 
formally  conceived  idea  of  having  thereby  a  rich 
property  in  the  things  procured  by  Christ ;  were 
this  the  chief  feeling,  it  would  be  mercenary  and 
selfish.  Love  asks  for  return  of  love,  because  its 
estimate  of  the  object  is  entire :  and  in  this  sense 
10* 


102  THE    SURRENDER   OP    THE    HEART 

the  soul  is  restless  for  the  power  to  say,  "who 
loved  me  and  gave  himself  for  me.''"'  This  desire 
will  not  find  entire  satisfaction,  even  in  the  appro- 
priation of  the  tenderest  appellations  by  which 
Christ  is  described.  It  is  veiy  blessed  to  call  him 
Lord,  shepherd,  brother,  friend,  companion :  but 
this  is  not  the  nearness  which  love  asks  :  the  in- 
dweUing  of  Christ  can  alone  answer  this  desire  : 
the  power  to  say  I  live,  yet  not  I,  but  "  Christ 
liveth  in  ???e,"  and  the  privilege  of  feeling  that  there 
is  an  indwelling  also  of  the  soul  in  Christ,  we  in 
him  and  he  in  us  :  so  that  it  should  no  longer  be 
as  a  divided  existence,  but  as  intimately  one. 
Such  affections  receive  their  sanction  from  the 
word  :  they  are  thereby  delivered  from  the  charge 
of  wild  enthusiasm,  or  of  vagrant  reveries. 
Christ  has  invested  them  with  solidity  and  truth, 
as  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  as  cor- 
respondent with  his  own  eternal  purpose.  In 
this  very  spirit  he  clothed  his  prayer  for  the 
saint's  saying,  "That  they  may  be  one  in  us." 
"  I  in  them  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be 
made  perfect  in  one."  John  xvii.  23.  And  thus 
he  declares  his  own  covenant  will,  "  I  will  dwell  in 
them  and  walk  in  them." 

Tender  solicitude  will  now  arise  within  the 
breast,  and  some  anxious  thoughts  be  ready 
to  break  forth, — but  may  this  privilege  be 
mine  ?  and,  how  can  it  be '?  The  solicitude,  as  it 
respects  willingness  on  the  part  of  Christ,  is 
quickly    answered     by     the     very    manifestation 


IN    DEVOTION    TO    THE    LORD.  103 

which  has  attracted  the  heart.  From  such  a  one 
as  is  seen  on  the  cross,  every  degree  of  mercy  and 
grace  may  be  expected.  The  freeness  of  his  un- 
reserved love  bears  a  stamp  upon  it,  which  presents 
encourao-ement  to  the  most  miserable.  Enlivening 
reflections  now  animate  the  soul.  Thus  he  rea- 
sons, 'The  gift  is  free  without  any  consideration 
of  worth  or  excellence  in  the  world  :  the  grace  is 
extended  in  cases  wherein  no  pretension  of  merit 
does  exist :  sinners  most  debased  have  been 
objects  of  this  mercy,  and  no  vileness  or  personal 
wretchedness  shall  be  an  obstacle  to  a  salvation 
thus  constituted.  The  testimony  is,  that  he  came 
to  seek  the  lost,  and  to  save  sinners.  This  faith- 
ful saying  I  do  believe  ;  neither  shall  my  miserable 
extent  of  ruin  form  an  objection  to  my  hope.  I 
say  indeed,  "  of  whom  I  am  chief,"  but  in  saying 
this,  I  do  not  propose  a  subject  of  desj)air.  Still 
it  is  possible  that  Jesus  may  admit  even  me  to 
union  with  himself !'  Much  encouragement  is 
also  derived  from  the  consciousness  of  having 
feelings  that  could  not  have  existed  but  by  grace 
already  received.  He  is  now  experimentally  sure 
of  the  fact,  "  No  man  can  come  unto  me  except 
the  Father  draw  him."  John  vi.  44.  He  is  how- 
ever come,  and  stands  in  that  hallowed  spot  where 
with  loving  eyes  he  looks  on  him  who  died  for 
man.  He  remembers  the  words  of  Jesus,  "  And 
I  if  I  be  lifted  up  will  draw  all  men  unto  me."  He 
feels  that  his  soul  has  been  attracted  by  some 
irresistible  power,  and  that  the  Saviour's  words. 


104  THE    SURRENDKU    OF    THE    HEART 

have  manifestly  had  an  accomplishment  in  him. 
John  xii.  32.  That  the  Father  and  Son  have 
been  operating  upon  him  appears  therefore  un- 
questionable. And  since  the  Holy  Ghost  is  the 
divine  witness,  and  effectual  author  of  these  cove- 
nant purposes,  he  rises  into  confidence  of  the 
eternal  mercy  towards  himself.  Looking  back 
upon  his  past  course,  he  discovers  a  strict  agree- 
ment between  God's  dispensation  to  him,  and  that 
to  Isiael,  "  I  drew  them  with  cords  of  a  man," 
that  is  tenderly,  sympathetically,  in  my  incarnate 
purpose  as  Emmanuel: — "With  bands  of  love," 
that  is,  with  covenant  indissoluble  union.  "I 
was  to  them  as  they  that  take  off'  the  yoke  on 
their  jaws,  and  I  laid  meat  unto  them."  A  figure 
borrowed  from  ancient  custom  in  feeding  the 
cattle,  and  releasing  them  from  labour,  strikingly 
shadowing  forth  a  release  from  the  yoke  and  ser- 
vitude of  sin,  and  a  participation  of  the  gospel 
provisions : — all  well  known  to  such  as  answer  to 
the  state  of  experience  we  are  considering,  and 
forming  strong  confirmation  to  faith.  As  the 
result  of  such  reflections,  he  is  ready  to  comfort 
his  spirit,  saying,  surely  herein  I  discover  ground 
for  hope  :  I  have  been  drawn  tenderly,  released 
mightily,  supplied  with  spiritual  appetite,  and 
tauoht  to  love  the  descending  manna.  May  I 
not  believe  that  because  he  has  loved  me  with  an 
everlasting  love,  therefore  with  loving  kindness 
he  has  drawn  me.  And  shall  I  not  rejoice  in  the 
persuasion    that    this    tliree-fold  cord   cannot   be 


IN    DEVOTION    TO    THE    LORD.  105 

broken  !  O  may  the  eternal  godhead  thus  throw 
around  me  his  encompassing  grace,  and  my  pre- 
sent station,  as  I  stand  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  be 
the  consequence  of  this  enduring  grace.  Hos.  xi.  4. 
Jer.  xxxi.  3.     Eccles.  iv.  12. 

These  are  consolations  that  are  necessary,  and 
without  which  the  hope  of  union  could  not  exist. 
The  believer  retains  his  consciousness  of  impo- 
lency  to  do  any  good  thing,  and  knows  that  no 
power  can  prevail  to  unite  so  vagrant  a  heart  as 
his  to  Christ,  save  only  the  power  of  Christ  him- 
self. Too  often  he  has  proved  that  his  own  affec- 
tions are  fluctuating,  and  that  his  heart  is  a 
vagabond,  loving  to  wander.  He  cannot  there- 
fore trust  his  own  ability,  and  he  is  likewise  quite 
aware  that  were  he  to  bring  his  heart  as  an 
offering  to  the  Lord,. and  profess  his  own  willing- 
ness towards  the  union,  that  there  are  too  many 
lamentable  accompaniments  of  evil  for  him  to  be 
secure  from  the  fear  of  rejection,  unless  his  Lord 
will  undertake  to  supply  all  that  is  needful.  Hence 
he  is  beginning  to  learn  the  value  of  precious 
doctrines  experimentally,  and  out  of  these  excite- 
ments grows  up  into  clearer  views  of  the  excel- 
lency of  the  Lord's  sovereignty  and  covenant 
grace.  On  these  he  casts  himself,  as  affording 
the  strong  and  only  ground  of  support.  And  here 
he  delights  to  abide,  exercising  the  acts  of  faith 
which  belong  to  this  degree  of  love. 

One  of  the  first  acts  is  an  expression  of  prayer. 
Courage  is  taken  to  put  into  words  the  hidden 


106     THE  SURRENDER  OF  THE  HEART 

solicitude  of  the  soul,  and  none  are  found  more 
aptly  describing  what  is  felt  than  the  simple 
entreaty  of  the  church,  "  Draw  me,  I  will  run 
after  thee."  Can.  i.  4.  Let  us  well  observe  the 
extent  of  this  sentiment.  It  contains  in  it  a  sense 
of  helplessness,  an  expectation  of  help,  and  an 
integrity  of  design ;  all  answerable  to  the  lan- 
guage of  the  heart.  It  is  a  disposition  still  more 
comprehensively  expressed  by  the  words  of  the 
psalmist,  "  Bind  the  sacrifice  with  cords,  even  to 
the  horns  of  the  altar."  Ps.  cxviii.  27.  A 
prayer  which  gathers  import  if  we  look  further 
into  the  scriptures.  St.  Paul,  in  his  epistle  to 
the  Hebrews,  affirms,  "  We  have  an  altar, 
whereof  they  have  no  right  to  eat  who  serve  the 
tabernacle,"  Heb.  xiii.  10  ;  and  proceeding  in  his 
testimony,  shews  how  Christ  is  an  altar,  exhort- 
ing us  to  offer  thereon  our  sacrifices  of  praise 
to  God  continually.  Now  we  know  that  the 
altars  reared  by  God's  direction  in  the  Jewish 
economy,  were  typical  of  Christ,  and  remember- 
ing our  Lord's  words,  "  Whether  is  greater,  the 
gift  or  the  altar  that  sanctifieth  the  gift  ?"  Matt, 
xxiii.  19,  we  have  a  blessed  exposition  of  the 
believer's  prayer.  He  desires  to  be  brought  as 
a  living  sacrifice  to  Christ  his  sanctifying  altar : 
he  earnestly  asks  to  be  bound  to  the  horns 
thereof,  to  be  an  adhering  subject  and  visible 
trophy  of  Christ's  dominion  and  power,  made  so 
by  the  drawings  of  God's  invincible  grace.  For 
this  he  prays. 


IN    DEVOTION    TO    THE    LORD.  107 

In  the  offering  which  he  brings  he  is  directed 
by  the  example  in  Christ ;  and  from  the  impulse 
of  love,  brings  his  unreserved  gift.  Nothing 
short  of  a  whole  self  is  proffered.  With  this  he 
offers  all  of  which  he  may  be  supposed  pos- 
sessed. It  is  no  empty  skeleton  of  sacrifice,  but 
substantially  his  all,  to  be  disposed  of,  and  used 
as  the  Lord  may  please,  and  if  it  be  requisite  to 
become  a  witness  for  truth  even  unto  death. 
Rev.  xii.  II. 

But  this  is  not  all.  He  surrenders  himself  as 
an  offering  laid  upon  the  altar,  waiting  for  the 
w^itness  of  acceptance ;  and  standing  as  it  were 
by  his  own  sacrifice,  he  thus  entreats,  'Come 
Holy  Ghost,  descend  like  fire,  fall  on  my  offering, 
and  give  the  token  that  it  is  accepted  on  high. 
Come,  purify  it  from  its  mixtures  of  evil:  come 
kindle  the  vehement  flame  of  love  and  zeal. 
Assure  me  that  what  is  now  expressed  of  long- 
ings for  union,  and  of  willingness  on  my  part 
towards  the  blessed  compact,  is  the  effect  of  thy 
own  operation,  and  shall  be  answered  with  "  grace 
for  grace." ' 

These  are  the  dispositions  which  belong  to  this 
advancement  in  the  Christian  course,  expressing 
a  restless  desire  after  a  possession,  without  which 
it  is  impossible  the  believer  can  have  peace.  It 
is  the  effect  of  strong  internal  impulse  towards 
Christ,  as  the  absorbing  object  of  affection,  and 
will  not  be  satisfied  until  answered  by  a  power  to 
say,  "  I  am  my  beloved's,  and  my  beloved  is  mine.''* 


108  THE    SURRENDER   OF    THE    HEART 

The  consideration  of  what  ensues  must  be  post- 
poned: we  have  here  before  us  sufficient  for 
serious  self-examination. 

In  the  first  place,  however,  there  is  a  point  of 
doctrine  on  which  we  should  do  well  to  receive 
caution  from  the  subject  before  us.  The  doctrine 
of  union  as  subsisting  between  Christ  and  his 
people  is  professedly  believed  by  all  informed 
Christians.  We  clearly  understand  that  it  never 
was  the  design  of  God  to  make  Christians  by 
merely  giving  to  men  a  Christian  name ;  but  that 
they  are  made  so  by  an  ingrafting  into  Christ,  as 
the  branch  of  the  vine,  John  xv.  5.  We  know 
that  this  is  requisite  in  order  to  salvation,  and 
that  without  it  we  are  dead  and  profitless  before 
God.  But  errors  have  prevailed  in  the  ideas 
connected  with  this  doctrine,  and  in  the  method 
of  stating  it,  against  which  we  should  be  guarded, 
for  they  involve  great  relative  consequences.  It 
is  not  unfrequent  that  men  will  talk  of  eternal 
justification  and  eternal  union,  meaning  thereby 
that  a  man  is  from  all  eternity  in  a  state  of  justi- 
fication or  state  of  union  :  thus  throwing  confu- 
sion into  the  covenant  revelation,  confounding 
the  eternal  purpose  of  God,  with  the  positive  act. 
No  doubt  the  privileges  in  question  are  both 
everlastingly  designed.  God  will  justify  his 
elect.  Rom.  viii.  33.  And  these  shall  be  brought 
into  their  privileges  through  union  with  Christ. 
But  they  are  not  in  the  state  described,  until  the 
Holy  Ghost  has  wrought  in  them  the  grace  of 


IN   DEVOTION   TO   THE   LORD.  109 

faith,  which  is  the  appointed  instrument  of  appro- 
priation in  these  benefits.  It  is  said,  "  Whom  he 
called,  them  he  also  justified."  Rom.  viii.  30.  And 
"by  whom  ye  are  called  into  the  fellowship  of 
his  Son,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,"  1  Cor.  i.  9.  And 
"  that  Christ  may  dwell  in  your  hearts  hij  faith, ^^ 
Eph.  iii.  17.  These  are  blessings  known  in  time 
in  the  day  of  God's  power,  and  consequently  upon 
the  Spirit's  application  of  electing  love  to  the 
chosen.  Previously  to  this  operation,  we  are  in 
a  state  of  darkness,  and  in  fellowship  with  Belial : 
there  can,  therefore,  be  no  union  existing  between 
us  and  Christ,  as  the  apostle  shews  2  Cor.  vi.  14. 
"  If  we  walk  in  the  light  as  he  is  in  the  light, 
then  have  we  fellowship  one  with  another,"  1  John 
i.  6.  7.  There  is,  therefore,  much  impropriety  in 
using  the  term  eternal  union  in  the  sense  which 
some  persons  intend.  We  are  children  of  wrath, 
even  as  others  previously  to  our  regeneration. 
And  although  the  work  of  an  accepted  surety 
prevails  to  secure  us  from  the  execution  of  wrath, 
we  are  not  during  that  period  in  the  state  of 
oneness  with  Christ,  or  objects  wherein  his  com- 
placent love  resides.  Of  this  the  souls  of  God's 
people  are  made  sensible ;  and  hence  arises  that 
solicitude  we  have  described,  rendering  them  so 
restless  to  obtain  assurance,  and  evidence  of  the 
existence  of  this  privilege. 

We  may  now  proceed  to  examine  the  present 
state  of  our  own  souls ;  and  in  so  doing  should 
remember  that  there  is  a  meetness  for  the  sensible 
11 


110  THE    SURRENDER    OF    THE    HEART 

assurance  of  union  with  Christ,  without  which  it 
will  not  be  given  us.  Neither  indeed  will  desire 
after  this  privilege  be  properly  possessed  until 
the  Holy  Ghost,  in  his  preparatory  operation, 
has  produced  in  us  supreme  love  of  the  object 
with  whom  we  desire  the  union.  We  have 
therefore  to  enquire  whether  our  heart  is  thus 
captivated,  whether  the  disposition  towards  union 
is  sincerely  wrought  in  us  by  the  surrender  of  our 
affections,  so  that  we  can  truly  say,  "  My  heart 
is  fixed,  O  God,  my  heart  is  fixed,"  Psalm  Ivii.  7. 
The  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  will  be  discoverable 
by  this  result.  There  will  be  the  revelation 
of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  soul  in  such  power, 
as  will  act  like  the  shining  forth  of  a  hot  sun- 
beam upon  the  internal  region  of  the  heart,  con- 
suming all  baser  fires,  and  destroying  the  corrupt 
flame  which  burns  upon  the  altar  of  a  natural 
heart ;  so  that  whilst  relative  aflfection  to  crea- 
tures is  strong  and  pure,  it  is  subordinate,  and 
exists  not  in  its  native  character  of  rivalry  with 
Christ.  The  fervent  solicitude  of  the  mind  is 
now  bent  upon  the  attainment  of  Christ's  love  ; 
and  human  solicitudes  sink  into  comparative 
nothingness.  There  lives  within  the  breast  this 
continual  sentiment,  "Whom  have  I  in  heaven 
but  thee,  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I 
desire  in  comparison  with  thee,"  Psalm  Ixxiii.  25. 
"  Yea,  I  count  all  things  but  loss  for  the 
excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus," 
Phil.  iii.  8.     These  affections  are  also  attended 


IN   DEVOTION   TO   THE   LORD.  Ill 

with  humility.  There  is  no  merit  attached  to 
them,  no  expectations  derived  from  them,  but 
the  habitual  and  abiding  consciousness  of  un- 
worthiness ;  so  that  the  spirit  waits  for  demon- 
strations of  the  Lord's  readiness  to  enter  into  the 
compact,  with  tenderness  and  self-abasement,  and 
a  sense  of  the  condescension  which  must  be  in 
action  if  this  grace  be  given.  In  such  a  frame 
of  mind  the  believer  will  be  willing  humbly  to 
give  the  heart  just  as  it  is,  that  the  Lord  may 
make  it  meet  to  be  his  own  ;  and  with  confidence 
that,  if  accepted,  he  can  and  will  produce  in  it 
every  thing  needful  for  the  preservation  of  the 
bond.  These  are  peculiar  feelings  wrought  by 
the  Spirit ;  we  should  seek  for  them  as  produced 
within  our  own  heart,  examining  our  state  upon 
the  several  dispositions  described.  Have  I  this 
supreme  love  of  the  object  of  faith,  so  that  he 
lives  with  unrivalled  dominion  in  my  heart  ? 
Have  I  a  willingness  to  sacrifice  all  other  affections 
when  they  rise  up  as  obstacles  to  my  supreme 
devotion  to  the  Lord  ?  Am  I  in  the  spirit  of 
humility  and  proffering  my  heart  with  a  due 
sense  of  my  own  unworthiness  1  Have  I  loving 
confidence  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  to  make  me 
all  that  I  ought  to  be?  And  can  I  trust  him  to 
look  upon  and  maintain  his  own  work  of  grace 
within  me  ? 

If  we  answer  with  satisfaction  to  these  en- 
quiries, we  have  rcKson  to  rejoice,  and  to  lay  hold 
of  the  consolatory  evidence  of  having  been  con- 


112    TUE  heart's  devotion  to  the  lord. 

ducted  thus  far  by  the  heavenly  Guide.  We 
should  give  him  praise  for  the  dispensation, 
cheerfully  raise  our  song  of  gratitude,  and  pa- 
tiently, though  fervently,  w^ait  for  further  mani- 
festations. If  unable  to  satisfy  our  own  minds 
upon  these  points,  we  ought  to  be  distressed,  and 
awakened  to  more  energy  in  our  Christian  course. 
To  be  destitute  of  these  affections,  evidences  that 
we  are  either  in  our  native  death  and  distance 
from  God,  or  that  we  are  grieving  the  Spirit  by 
allowing  something  in  our  course  which  impedes 
our  way.  In  either  case  we  are  guilty,  and  lie 
exposed  to  punishment.  Let  us  not  then  madly 
yield  to  this  spiritual  apathy,  for  our  destitution 
is  complete  if  we  have  not  Christ,  and  our  pro- 
fession is  barren  if  we  are  not  in  conscious  union 
with  him. 


LONGING  OF  HEART  FOR    CONSCIOUS. 
UNION. 

Canticles  vii.  10,   11. 

It  must  be  our  object  on  the  present  occasion,  to 
consider  the  result  of  that  anxious  expression  of 
love  on  the  part  of  the  behever,  which  we  last 
examined.  We  beheld  him  in  the  experience  of 
fervent  desires  after  union  with  Christ,  arising  from 
an  absorption  of  his  affections,  and  admiration  of 
the  Lord  as  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand  ;  and 
as  led  to  exclaim  with  unfeigned  surrender  of  his 
heart,  "  I  am  my  beloved's."  We  must  now  ascer« 
tain,  if  he  be  privileged  to  say,  "  And  his  desire  is 
toward  me,"  or,  "  My  beloved  is  mine." 

In  answer  to  this  interesting  and  important 
enquiry,  Ave  must  in  the  first  place  realize  some  of 
the  important  doctrines  which  stand  prominently 
before  us  in  the  sacred  Scriptures.  It  is  necessary 
in  a  question  such  as  this  that  the  judgment  be 
persuaded.  The  mere  excitement  of  passion  or 
movement  of  feehng  will  not  satisfy  a  soul  sincerely 
anxious  to  determine  the  degree  of  his  liberty  to 
appropriate  Christ ;  these  may  be  delusive  ;  and 
nothing  short  of  solid  ground  for  assurance  will 
suffice  to  settle  the  question  in  peace  to  the  soul. 
Let  us  then  bear  in  mind,  that  Jesus  has  said, 
11* 


114  LONGINGS   OF    HEART 

"No  man  can  come  unto  me  except  the  Father 
draw  him."  Let  us  remember  that  the  Bible 
testimony  is,  "  We  love  him  because  he  first  loved 
us."  If  therefore  we  are  come  to  Christ  according 
to  the  statement  in  our  last  subject,  or  have  the 
consciousness  that  we  do  indeed  love  him,  we 
possess  a  sure  witness  of  the  divine  operation  in 
the  heart,  and  a  pledge  of  the  free  love  of  a  coven- 
ant God.  It  is  also  expressly  affirmed  that  he  who 
Cometh  unto  Christ  he  "  will  in  no  wise  cast  out ;" 
and  that  they  who  bring  their  sacrifices  before  the 
Lord  shall  find  them  accepted  by  him  ;  and  that  the 
protfered  surrender  of  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  which 
it  is  the  anxious  desire  of  the  believer  that  the 
Lord  will  receive,  is  not  only  a  reasonable  but  an 
acceptable  service  :  see  John  vi.  37.  1  John  iv.  19. 
Isa.  Ivi.  7,  8.  Rom.  xii.  1.  Here  we  have  sure 
ground  on  which  to  establish  the  expectation  of 
faith ;  proving,  that  if  we  answer  to  this  descrip- 
tion of  character,  we  cannot  either  reasonably  or 
scripturally  doubt  the  success  of  our  desires.  To 
think  otherwise  would  be  to  dispute  the  truth  and 
faithfulness  of  the  Lord  ;  and  would  also  involve  a 
denial  of  those  essential  doctrines  which  reveal 
to  us  that  man  is  by  nature  a  fallen  creature,  that 
he  inherits  an  awful  apostacy  from  his  descent,  as 
the  offspring  of  an  alienated  parent ;  that  in  this 
apostacy  there  is  resolute  enmity  against  his 
Maker,  and  also  an  entire  impotency  in  every 
thino-  which  belongs  to  spiritual  things ;  so  that 
even  were  he  rendered  willing  to  return,  he  would 


FOR    CONSCIOUS    UNION.  115 

Still  be  incapable  of  effecting  that  return,  except- 
ing as  he  is  supernaturally  influenced.  Hence 
it  will  follow,  that  whenever  a  sinner  is  brought 
to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  with  dispositions  which 
yearn  after  and  long  for  intimate  union  with  the 
Lord,  he  must  necessarily  be  considered  as  under 
the  mighty  and  covenant  operation  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

But  we  are  not  left  merely  to  draw  conclusions 
which  may  satisfy,  we  are  blest  by  the  positive 
affirmation  of  God  upon  this  point,  and  have  innu- 
merable passages  in  the  Scriptures  which  suffici- 
ently assure  us  of  the  purpose  which  Christ  him- 
self has  towards  this  union.  Amidst  striking 
figures  adopted  by  the  Holy  Ghost  for  setting  forth 
this  willingness  of  incarnate  love,  we  have  an 
interesting  passage  in  Can.  iii.  II,  introduced  by 
the  testimony  in  the  preceding  verse.  It  refers  to 
the  act  of  redemption  through  the  descent  of  the 
eternal  Son  from  heaven  to  earth ;  who  came  as 
borne  by  his  own  constraining  love,  who  formed  for 
himself,  in  his  human  nature,  a  chariot  wherein 
he  might  be  brought  near  to  man,  and,  lining  it 
with  the  precious  material  of  love  divine,  fitted  it 
to  be  a  place  of  safety  for  his  redeemed,  wherein 
they  should  dwell,  and  with  him  pass  into  the 
realms  of  everlasting  glory.  The  effect  of  this 
incarnate  love  is  before  us  in  the  1 1th  verse,  where 
the  church  is  invited  to  come  forth  to  contemplate 
the  peculiar  grace  of  the  Saviour,  and  to  under- 
stand  the   nature   of   this   joyous    event.       It  is 


116  LONGINGS    OF    HEART 

represented  as  a  day  of  the  gladness  of  the  Saviour's 
heart,  and  this  on  account  of  the  crown  put  upon 
his  head  in  the  day  of  his  espousals,  answering  to 
the  prophetic  voice  in  Isa.  hii.  11.  and  signifying 
that  in  every  instance  wherein  sinners  are  brought 
to  the  longing  desire  of  faith  and  love  to  him, 
he  sees  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  he  reaps  the 
reward  of  his  suftering  work,  he  receives  a  crown 
of  glory  to  his  head,  and  he  accepts  the  profession, 
in  gladness,  in  satisfaction,  and  with  an  espousing 
grace  !  Of  this  grace  the  Apostle  speaks  in  writing 
to  the  Ephesians  v.  28 — 32,  wherein  he  enlarges 
upon  the  love  of  Christ,  who  gave  himself  for  the 
church,  expressly  designing  hereby  to  present  it  to 
himself  as  a  bride,  and  to  cherish  and  love,  and 
joy  in  it  as  a  v^'ife,  taken  it  even  into  mystical  union 
with  himself  as  it  is  expressed,  "  For  we  are 
members  of  his  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of  his 
bones," 

Thus  it  is  evident,  that  the  desire  of  union  is 
mutual.  On  the  part  of  Christ  according  to  the 
purpose  of  the  everlasting  covenant ;  for  what  is 
declared  respecting  Israel  as  a  nation  is  true  also  in 
respect  of  all  who  compose  the  Lamb's  wife  out  of 
every  kindred  and  nation,  "  Thou  shalt  call  me 
Ishi  and  shalt  no  more  call  me  Baali.  And  1  will 
betroth  thee  unto  me  for  ever,  yea  I  will  betroth 
thee  unto  me  in  righteousness,  and  in  judgment, 
and  in  loving  kindness,  and  in  mercies,  1  will 
even  betroth  thee  unto  me  in  faithfulness,  and 
thou  shalt  know  the   Lord."     IIos.    ii.  16,  19. — 


FOR   CONSCIOUS   UNION.  117 

20.  These  are  privileges  secured  to  the  church 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  are  designed  in  order  to  mag- 
nify the  divine  perfections,  all  of  which  are  pledged 
for  the  saints,  and  will  be  magnified  in  every 
espoused  soul.  On  the  part  of  the  believer  the 
desire  after  union  is  as  we  have  seen  not  only 
fervent  and  sincere  ;  but  the  fruit  of  the  Lord's 
grace,  according  to  what  is  written  in  Ezek.  xvi. 
8.  "  Now  when  I  passed  by  thee  and  looked  upon 
thee,  thy  time  was  the  time  of  love,  and  I  spread 
my  skirt  over  thee,  and  covered  thy  nakedness, 
yea,  I  sware  unto  thee  and  made  a  covenant  with 
thee,  and  thou  hecamest  ??iine."  In  this  case  the 
word  of  salvation  is  applied  with  power  ;  the  soul 
is  apprehended,  and  fqrprehends ;  and  the  efiect- 
ual  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost  fulfils  what  is  so 
interestingly  and  emphatically  set  forth  in  Rom. 
vii.  1 — 4.  According  to  this  figure,  so  long 
as  we  are  in  a  natural  state,  we  are  under 
the  law,  wedded  to  it  as  to  an  oppressive  yoke, 
rendered  grievous  by  reason  of  its  sanctity 
and  our  impotency  as  it  is  written  Rom.  viii.  3. 
It  is  weak  through  the  jlesh,  that  is,  it  has  not 
energy  enough  to  ensure  or  enforce  obedience  ; 
yet  it  has  its  inexorable  demands,  which  it  is  ever 
urging  upon  the  conscience  of  man.  It  therefore 
becomes  a  bondage,  and  oppressive  in  proportion 
to  our  perception  of  its  true  nature.  So  long  as 
we  are  in  this  state,  we  are  not  considered  in  a 
marriageable  condition  to  Christ.  Wherefore  that 
must  become  dead  which  holds  us   in  bondage, 


118  LONGINGS    OF    HEART 

that  we  may  be  free,  so  as  legally  to  be  espoused 
to  another.  Accordingly  Christ,  having  in  his 
body  satisfied  the  law,  has  slain  it  in  respect  of  its 
bondage-character  to  his  people.  And  having 
convinced  us  also  through  the  law,  he  has  slain 
our  ignorant  expectations,  and  self-righteous 
adherence  to  this  first  husband,  as  the  Apostle 
expresses  it,  "  I  through  the  Law  am  dead  to  the 
Law,  that  I  might  live  unto  Christ."  Gal.  ii.  19. 
Thus  all  preparations  for  union  are  ready  ;  mutual 
willingness — legal  openings — and  loving  liberty  ! 

In  the  ceremony  of  espousal  among  the  Jews, 
there  were  certain  expressive  forms  observed  by 
the  parties  entering  into  contract.  A  public  avowal 
of  the  intention  was  made  before  witnesses,  cer- 
tain writings  were  drawn  up  declarative  of  the 
intention  of  marriage  which  each  party  professed 
to  the  other,  and  usually  the  female  received  a 
piece  of  silver  from  her  proposed  husband  as  a 
pledge  of  faithfulness  and  truth.  After  this  cere- 
mony the  two  persons  were  permitted  to  have  free 
intercourse,  from  which  they  were  previously 
withheld.  It  is  no  doubt  in  reference  to  these 
things  that  the  idea  of  espousal  is  presented  to  us 
in  the  Scripture,  as  well  adapted  to  represent  the 
spiritual  interests  we  are  now  examining ;  which 
consist  of  an  appropriating  act  of  faith,  by  which 
Christ  is  laid  hold  upon  with  satisfaction,  and  a 
holy  persuasion  of  being  interested  in  his  love.  It 
is  in  fact  the  privilege  of  assurance  effected  by  the 
Holy  Ghost.     This  he  does  through  the  written 


FOR   CONSCIOUS   UNION.  119 

word,  by  visible  distinctions,  and  with  internal 
holy  pledges  of  peace  and  love.  Thus  we  are 
taught  by  the  Scriptures  that  the  saints  have  an 
anointing  from  the  Holy  One,  by  which  they  are 
visibly  and  consciously  distinguished  from  the 
world  which  lieth  in  wickedness,  and  that  they 
carry  with  them  the  blessed  demonstration  of 
their  heritage  in  the  powerful  Comforter.  1  John 
V.  10,  19,  20.  This  is  a  blissful  state  answerable 
to  the  desires  which  exist  in  the  devoted  heart  ; 
and  nothing  short  of  this  will  give  spiritual  rest 
to  a  heaven-born  soul.  It  corresponds  with  the 
language  of  love  we  considered  in  our  last  subject, 
and  presents  the  believer  before  us  as  privileged 
to  say,  "  I  am  my  beloved's  and  his  desire  is 
towards  me." 

Although  we  are  considering  the  disinterested 
love  of  a  soul  that  is  restless  after  Christ,  as 
attracted  and  fixed  by  his  unspeakable  excellence, 
we  do  not  wholly  dismiss  the  idea  of  those 
attendant  blessings  which  are  inseparable  from 
the  life  of  faith,  and  which  do  in  an  abundant 
measure  flow  in  with  the  assurance  of  love,  and 
give  additional  blessedness  to  the  possession. 
Thus  it  will  manifestly  appear,  that  having 
appropriated  Christ  as  espoused  and  united  to 
him,  the  soul  will  hereby  obtain  a  great  increase 
of  experimental  knowledge  in  those  doctrines  of 
grace  which  the  scriptures  reveal.  It  is  impos- 
sible that  we  should  humbly  appropriate  the  Lord, 
or  feel  his  love  shed  abroad  in  our  heart,  without 


120  LONGINGS    OF    HEART 

an  attendant  conviction  of  the  marvellous  act  by 
which  this  blessing  has  been  realized  ;  the  glory 
of  which  will  be  ascribed  to  God  alone.  Hence 
an  experimental  understanding  of  election  will 
follow,  and  it  will  be  felt  and  confessed,  that  these 
are  mercies  which  can  oilly  be  proved  through 
God' ^  good  pleasure,  who  purposed  in  himself  the 
wonderful  plan  of  life,  and  without  any  considera- 
tion of  merit  in  the  favoured  soul,  dispenses  his 
loving-kindness.  There  is  to  such  an  one  an 
unspeakable  excellency  in  the  testimony,  that 
according  to  his  own  purpose  and  grace  he  saved 
us  ;  and  bringing  this  testimony  to  individual 
experience,  there  will  be  no  room  left  for  any 
thing  but  glorying  in  the  Lord,  and  ascribing  it  to 
his  sovereignty  that  the  soul  has  life  in  Christ.  Eph. 
i.  4—6. 

In  the  same  disposition,  the  doctrine  of  re- 
demption will  be  understood,  not  only  in  its 
freeness  respecting  the  provision  of  the  redemp- 
tion price,  but  in  respect  of  the  individual  applica- 
tion of  the  blessing,  now  the  subject  of  grateful 
joy  to  the  soul.  He  closely  connects  this  privilege 
with  that  of  electing  love,  knows  that  he  could  not 
have  been  chosen  consistently  with  God's  glory, 
but  in  Christ  the  Beloved,  and  lifts  up  his  grate- 
ful expression  of  praise,  saying,  "  Who  loved  me, 
and  gave  himself  for  me."  The  propitiation  is 
contemplated  with  its  value  before  God,  and  its 
availableness  in  behalf  of  his  own  guilty  soul  ; 
and  with  a  tenperness   combined  with  transport 


FOR    CONSCIOUS    UNION.  121 

he   can   exclaim,    "  I    know  that    my  Redeemer 
liveth." 

The  consciousness  of  having  holy  affections  now 
operating  in  his  heart,  leads  out  his  spirit  into 
enlarged  views  of  the  blessedness  of  an  applied 
salvation  :  he  looks  upon  the  effects  of  redeeming 
love  as  thus  exhibited  with  a  holy  joy  in  the 
omnipotence  by  which  such  fruits  in  such  a  heart 
have  been  produced  ;  and  he  blesses  the  eternal 
Spirit,  believing  also  that  since  He  is  the  Author 
of  this  inward  life  he  will  also  be  the  Finisher 
He  unites  his  view  of  sanctification  with  perse- 
verance, and  is  assured  of  the  faithfulness  of  that 
Lord  who  has  begun  the  good  work  in  him.  Thus 
he  rests  in  the  pure  doctrines  of  an  everlasting 
covenant,  and  is  able  to  rejoice  in  believing  that 
his  own  name  is  graven  upon  the  hands  of  the 
Lord,  that  he  bears  it  likewise  on  his  shoulder — 
and  so  will  minister  to  him  in  all  things  that  are 
good,  by  his  own  covenant  government.  The 
sacred  scriptures  assure  him  that  such  are  the 
privileges  of  those  who  are  one  with  Christ 
And  now  that  he  lays  claim  to  this  inheritance, 
he  must  believe  that  all  things  are  his.  1  Cor. 
iii.  21 — 23.  The  spiritual  delights  of  faith  are 
not  limited  to  expectations  respectin.^  present 
pilgrimage.  This  heav(Mily  grace  penetrates  the 
clouds,  and  rises  into  the  invisible  world,  realizing 
an  inheritance  beyond  all  the  transitory  things 
of  time,  and  in  which  all  the  weariness  of  proba- 
tion will  be  closed  for  ever.  Along  with  the 
12 


122  LONGINGS    OF    HEART 

assurance  of  union  with  Christ,  is  assurance  of 
heirship  with  him.  And  those  wonderful  posses- 
sions which  he  has  hitherto  contemplated  abstract- 
edly, as  interesting  in  themselves  and  for  those 
who  might  claim  them,  he  now  believes  to  be  his 
own,  so  that  he  can  testify,  "  Henceforth  there 
is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  which  God  the  righteous 
Judge  will  give  me  in  that  day."  2  Tim.  iv.  8. 
This  sure  expectation  is  founded  upon  an  ex- 
perimental acquaintance  with  the  grace  o^  justi- 
fication;  he  is  united  with  Christ,  he  therefore 
has  put  on  Christ,  and  is  arrayed  in  his  righteous- 
ness as  a  meritorious  plea  for  the  kingdom ;  and 
according  to  the  covenant  promise  contained  in 
Rev.  ii.  17,  he  feeds  on  the  hidden  manna,  and 
has  "  the  white  stone  /" 

These  are  accompaniments  of  the  blessing  of 
conscious  union  with  Christ :  they  powerfully 
nurture  the  soul  in  peace,  and  are  instrumental 
in  keeping  it  consistent  in  its  character.  The 
believer  who  in  this  disposition  apprehends  his 
acceptance  in  the  Lord,  has  motives  of  the  most 
constraining  and  persuasive  kind  towards  visible 
devotion,  and  habitual  correspondence  of  spirit 
with  his  high  relationship. 

If  such  be  the  blessed  portion  of  those  who 
are  espoused  to  the  Lord,  should  we  not  be 
increasingly  stimulated  to  seek  the  conscious 
possession  for  ourselves,  repeating  the  fervent 
supplication  of  love  and  desire,  saying,  "  Draw 
me  /"  Cant,  i,  4.     Should  we  not  long   to  expe- 


FOR    CONSCIOUS    UNION.  V23 

rience  the  constraining  force  of  divine  grace  thus 
operative  in  the  heart,  and  ask  for  that  omnipotent 
effect  of  redeeming  love  which  brings  the  soul 
into  this  high  fellowship?  No  doubt  if  we  have 
spiritual  affections  or  discernment  such  will  be 
our  ardent  desire.  Not  to  have  it  is  an  affecting 
demonstration  that  there  is  some  serious  evil 
unmortified  in  the  heart.  It  is  evident  that  the 
children  of  God  are  universally  described  as 
manifesting  their  new  birth,  either  by  breathings 
after,  or  rejoicings  in  this  union ;  and  to  differ 
from  them  herein  argues  that  we  are  as  yet 
unacquainted  with  their  peculiar  desires  and 
delights.  We  have  the  church  pressing  her  suit 
and  intreating,  Seal  me  upon  thine  heart,  Cant, 
viii.  6,  7 ;  and  testifying  that  in  her  heart, 
Jealousy  was  cruel  as  the  grave,  and  the  coals 
thereof  were  as  coals  of  fire.  She  is  importunate 
therefore  to  be  kept  from  every  thing  which 
might  cast  a  suspicion  upon  her  state.  And  in 
the  possession  of  all  which  fervent  love  demands, 
and  in  the  history  of  individual  experience,  the 
same  affections  will  ever  be  developed  by  the 
saints,  for  they  have  no  desire  equal  to  that  of 
being  able  to  say,  "My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I 
am  his."  How  is  it  then  that  we  can  differ  from 
these,  and  yet  indulge  the  hope  of  inheriting  their 
distinctions  at  last  ?  Let  us  not  be  deceived :  it 
is  but  too  palpably  evident,  that  in  such  a  case, 
we  are  either  in  a  state  of  native  alienation,  or 
are  living  in   an  awfully  inconsistent  course  as 


124  LONGINGS    OF    HEART 

Christians.  Let  us  not  wickedly  take  refuge  in 
the  idea  that  so  much  earnestness  may  be  dis- 
pensed with,  and  yet  the  soul  be  safe.  There  are 
indeed  amongst  professors  some  who,  like  the 
daughters  of  Jerusalem,  are  ready  to  reply, 
"  What  is  thy  beloved  more  than  another  be- 
loved that  thou  dost  so  charge  us,"  Cant.  v.  9. 
why  urge  us  to  so  much  devotedness,  such  scru- 
pulous care,  such  unceasing  thoughts  of  things 
that  are  heavenly !  But  observations  such  as 
these  would  cease  for  ever,  were  we  quickened 
by  the  eternal  Spirit,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  would 
give  place  to  the  most  devoted  language  of  esti- 
mation of  Christ,  and  of  the  decision  of  saints. 
Some  there  are  indeed  amongst  the  true  disciples 
who  exhibit  a  course  that  gives  countenance  to 
the  reasonings  of  the  ignorant ;  and  if  we  are 
amongst  these  the  subject  before  us  should  be 
full  of  condemnation  and  distress  to  the  heart. 
Already  possibly  distress  is  lodged  there,  conse- 
quently upon  the  life  of  indolence,  earthliness  or 
sensual  indulgence,  which  grieves  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  so  destroys  the  hope  of  assurance.  This  is  a 
melancholy  condition,  ill  becoming  the  bride  of 
Christ,  and  quite  disgraceful  to  such  as  by  a 
profession  of  discipleship  have  pretensions  to  such 
an  appellation  ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  every  such 
Christian  seriously  and  determinately  to  seek 
deliverance  from  this  inward  and  outward  de- 
pression, that  God  may  be  glorified,  and  their 
consolations  answer  to  the  promise.     Eph.  iv.  30. 


FOR    CONSCIOUS   UNION.  125 

We  are  all  persuaded  that  no  less  a  standard  will 
suffice  to  support  us  in  a  dying  hour,  or  to  give  us 
victory  in  the  conflict,  such  as  the  Christian  should 
desire.  It  will  not  suffice  in  that  serious  moment 
to  be  able  onhj  to  hope,  and  merely  to  say  that  we 
trust  he  will  have  mercy.  Thus  to  die  is  but  a 
dreary  mode  of  passing  into  the  presence  of  the 
dreadful  Judge,  and  of  waiting  for  a  sentence  never 
to  be  reversed,  and  deciding  the  happiness  or 
misery  of  an  immortal  soul.  If  then  we  consider 
it  desirable  to  be  able  when  dying  to  say,  "  My 
flesh  and  my  heart  fail,  but  God  is  the  strength  of 
my  heart  and  my  portion  for  ever"  Psalm  Ixxiii. 
26.  why  will  we  not  now  seek  the  unspeakable 
privilege,  and  appreciate  the  comfort  of  walking 
through  our  remaining  days  of  pilgrimage  in 
association  with  the  Holy  Ghost  as  the  witness  of 
our  union  with  the  Lord  ?  Is  there  any  thing  in 
this  from  which  a  rational  soul  should  start  back  ? 
is  it  not  the  proper  elevation  of  a  creature  endowed 
and  blest  as  man  has  been  by  his  Creator  ?  Come, 
then,  make  trial  of  the  joyous  way  opened  in 
Jesus  Christ,  and  experienced  by  those  who  are 
one  with  him. 

In  all  instances  wherein  the  privilege  is  known, 
there  remains  a  responsibility  to  which  the  soul 
should  be  continually  stirred  up.  Let  such  believ- 
ers studiously  cherish  their  distinction  in  the  use  of 
every  appointed  means,  holding  it  humbly,  and 
prayerfully,  and  joyfully  in  the  Lord,  that  none 
such  should  seem  to  come  short  of  the  promise  they 
12* 


126  LONGINGS    OF    HEART    FOR    UNION. 

inherit  in  Christ,  but  that  all  men  may  see  the  holy 
liberty  into  which  Christian  privilege  introduces  the 
soul.  Heb.  iv.  1.  Neh.  viii.  10.  And  that  we 
may  also  live  as  they  who  are  looking  for  a  perfec- 
tion beyond  any  present  possession,  when,  the 
marriage  of  the  Lamb  being  come,  his  wife  shall 
be  found  to  have  made  herself  ready,  wearing  her 
royal  attire,  and  hailing  her  Bridegroom's  voice. 
Then  shall  espousals  be  completed  in  the  visible 
union  and  splendour  and  highest  dignity  of  the 
Lord's  redeemed,  Rev.  xix.  7.  This  is  the  [)roper 
result  of  a  union  which  in  this  world  is  realized 
through  faith  ;  and  in  the  approaching  day  is  to  be 
manifested  everlastingly. 


THE  SENSE  OF  UNION  A  NEW  SPRING 
OF  OBEDIENCE. 

Romans  vii.  4 — 6. 

Our  last  two  subjects  have  aftbrded  us  the  oppor- 
tunity of  looking  into  the  privileged  state  of  the 
believer  when  enterinsf  into  conscious  union  with 
Christ.  This  forms  an  important  period  in  the 
history  of  the  life  of  faith,  introducing  us  into  many 
parts  of  the  Christian  course,  which  are  to  be  con- 
sidered as  resulting  from  this  conscious  privilege. 

As  one  of  the  first  blessings  which  follow  this 
stage  of  experience,  we  are  evidently  to  consider 
the  soul  put  in  possession  of  a  vigorous  power  of 
holiness,  correspondently  with  the  new  dignity  of 
condition  and  high  relation  which  it  is  called  to 
realize.  And  on  this  point  we  have  some  interest- 
ing particulars  to  examine.  We  do  not  intend 
that  the  believer  has  not  exhibited,  in  the  progress 
we  have  already  contemplated,  a  disposition  of 
upright  obedience ;  we  have  shewn  that  under  the 
operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  he  has  entered  upon  a 
course,  wherein  his  consciousness  of  sin  has  cost 
him  g  dly  anguish,  has  been  attended  with  upright 
conflict,  has  produced  contrition  and  prostration  of 
spirit,  and  unfeigned  surrender  of  self,   with  the 


128  THE    SENSE    OF    UNION 

hope  of  being  wholly  conformed  to  the  will  of 
God.  Insomuch  that  his  unceasing  language  is, 
"O  that  my  ways  were  made  so  direct,  that  I 
might  keep  thy  statutes."  Ps.  cxix.  5.  In  these 
traits  of  true  repentance  we  discover  many  of  the 
excellent  acts  of  obedience,  proceeding  from  the 
principle  of  holiness  ;  yet  we  do  not  perceive  in 
them  what  answers  to  the  stability  of  really 
Christian  and  spiritual  elevation,  such  as  the  coven- 
ant has  prepared  for  the  saints,  and  which  is  only 
to  be  looked  for  at  the  period  we  are  at  present 
examining.  Let  our  own  observation  determine 
this  truth.  It  must  be  evident  to  ourselves,  that 
in  the  time  which  precedes  the  assurance  of  faith, 
we  are  conscious  of  much  fluctuation  in  our  feel- 
ings, and  subtle  workings  of  uncertainty,  even  in 
our  purposes ;  for  notwithstanding  our  habitual 
integrity,  there  are  almost  unperceived  reasonings 
of  nature  in  us,  which  interfere  with  the  manifest 
beauty  of  a  regular  undeviating  obedience,  pro- 
ducing in  our  course  a  kind  of  inequality  in  our 
steps  easily  discoverable  by  the  highly  spiritual, 
and  sometimes  discerned  also  by  the  world,  which 
judges  us  accordingly.  There  is  likewise  very 
frequently  a  mixture  of  bondage  in  our  dispo- 
sition, demonstrated  by  somewhat  of  a  self-righte- 
ous spirit  in  our  service ;  for  too  often  we  are 
wishing  to  find  cause  for  complacency  in  what 
we  are  doing  or  feeling ;  and  although  we 
have  renounced  our  native  self,  we  are  seeking. 
to  rest   in    our  sanctified    state  ;    an  evil  which. 


A    NEW    SPRING    OF    OBEDIENCE.  129 

which  we  betray  by  being  dispirited  and  dejected 
under  any  sensible  defect. 

All  this,  it  is  true,  belongs  to  an  upright  dispo- 
sition, but  it  impedes  the  flow  of  generous  obe- 
dience, because  not  wrought  in  liberty  of  spirit ; 
and  therefore  we  must  consider  such  acts  rather 
as  tokens  of  what  will  be,  than  as  fruits  which 
reach  the  proper  Christian  standard.  They  are 
the  eftect  of  a  real  work  begun,  and  in  some 
degree  advanced  in  the  soul  ;  they  exhibit  a 
"  Prince's  daughter,"  whose  feet  are  "  beautiful 
with  shoes,"  see  Cant.  vii.  1.  Or  are  "shod  with 
the  preparation  of  the  gospel  of  peace."  Eph.  vi. 
15.  There  is  a  readiness  to  tread  in  the  whole  way 
of  devotion  ;  a  sure  preparation  of  the  heart,  which 
Cometh  from  God.  Prov.  xvi.  1, 

That  the  end  for  which  these  preparations  are 
given,  is  that  of  an  exhibition  of  God's  grace  in  a 
visible  character,  corresponding  with  the  relation 
now  established,  is  evident  from  various  passages  in 
God's  word. 

Thus  when  the  Lord  testifies  of  his  grace  to 
Zion,  under  the  notion  of  a  bride,  or  wife,  or 
espoused  one,  he  declares  her  visible  and  conspicu- 
ous excellency.  And  although  some  of  these 
passages  refer  in  a  high  sense  to  the  literal  Israel, 
and  future  scenes  of  dignity  reserved  for  that 
nation,  we  are  not  to  forget  that  the  middle  wall 
of  partition  between  Jew  and  Gentile  being 
broken  down,  Christ  has  found  a  bride  for  himself 
out  of  every  kingdom,    and   nation,   and   people, 


130  THE    SENSE    OF    UNION 

and  united  them  as  one  new  man,  or  as  one 
redeemed  spouse  for  himself.  Rev.  vii.  9 ;  xix.  7. 
We  may  therefore  look  to  the  divine  testimony 
as  of  enlarged  application  ;  and,  although  not 
disposed  to  rob  Israel  of  any  portion  of  honour, 
we  will  lay  claim  to  the  privilege  of  participating 
in  the  promises,  which  are  yea  and  amen  in  Christ 
to  all  the  spiritual  seed  of  Abraham.  Thus  led 
by  the  Spirit,  we  may  proceed  and  examine  some 
of  those  parts  of  Scripture  which  bear  upon  the 
subject. 

In  Ezekiel  xvi.  9 — 14,  we  have  the  history, 
which  not  only  represents  the  condition  of  Israel, 
but  the  manner  of  God's  dispensing  of  his  king- 
dom to  every  individual  believer.  Having  raised 
the  soul  from  its  spiritual  death,  and  lifted  it 
up  from  its  original  condition,  it  is  washed  and 
anointed, — guilt  and  defilement  are  cleansed  by  the 
blood  of  Jesus,  and  in  the  Spirit's  power,  and  the 
sinner  is  set  apart  for  newness  of  life.  Following 
upon  this,  we  have  the  adorned  state  of  the  bride. 
She  is  clothed  and  shod  suitably  to  her  appoint- 
ment, being  justified  in  the  royal  robe  of  her 
husband's  righteousness,  and  prepared  to  follow 
him  with  resolute  conformity  to  his  will.  She  is 
also  "  decked  with  ornaments.''''  These  ornaments 
no  doubt  signify  the  several  beauties  of  the  new 
creature  in  Christ,  and  are  represented  by  figures, 
which,  in  other  parts  of  the  word  describe  the 
graces  of  the  Spirit.  Thus  the  hands  are  adorned 
or  beautified  by  works  of  diligent  love ;  the  neck 


A    NEW    SPRING    OP   OBEDIENCE.  131 

wears  the  golden  chain,  composed  as  it  were 
of  the  several  precepts,  which,  as  links  in  a  chain 
of  love,  adorn  the  faith,  and  prove  it  to  be  a  grace 
that  unites  the  soul  to  the  living  head :  the  fore- 
head is  distinguished  by  the  jewel  so  peculiarly 
pledged  to  the  church,  all  her  members  being 
"  sealed  in  their  forehead,"  and  having  the  name 
of  their  God  visibly  displayed  in  their  profession : 
the  ears  adorned  with  earrings,  according  to  Prov. 
XXV.  12.  yielding  an  obedient  attention  to  the  voice 
of  counsel  or  reproof:  and  as  a  completion  of  her 
beauty,  her  head  receives  the  beautiful  crown. 
Thus  she  is  exhibited  as  queen,  or  royal  spouse  ; 
the  Lamb's  wife,  renowned  for  beauty,  through  the 
Lord's  comeliness  which  he  has  put  upon  her. 
What  the  beautiful  crown  is  may  be  satisfactorily 
determined,  for  it  is  written,  "  The  Lord  of 
Hosts  shall  be  for  a  crown  of  glory,  and  for  a 
diadem  of  beauty  to  the  residue  of  his  people." 
Isa.  xxviii.  5.  It  is  to  the  Lord  that  the  honour 
of  this  work  is  due,  for  he  as  the  anointed 
Saviour  came  to  appoint  beauty  for  ashes,  the 
oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garments  of  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness,  that  he  might  be  glori- 
fied. Isa.  Ixi.  3.  It  is  in  this  work  that  the  bride 
makes  her  boast,  wearing  her  Lord  as  her  chief 
joy  and  honour,  and,  assenting  to  ihe  exhortation, 
arising  to  put  on  her  beautiful  attire.  Isa.  lii.  1. 
and  delighting  to  be  brought  unto  the  king  in  this 
legitimate  and  glorious  way.  Thus  she  answers 
to  what  is  written  of  her,   Ps.  xlv :  she  has  left 


132  THE    SENSE    OF    UNION 

her  father's  house,  and  is  now  invested  with  privi- 
leges which  make  her  all-glorious  within,  and  her 
raiment  of  wrought  gold. 

Turning  to  Rev.  iii.  12.  we  meet  with  another 
testimony,  equally  declarative  of  the  covenant 
design  which  respects  the  visible  dignity  of  the 
redeemed.  Here  such  as  are  advanced  in  the 
way  having  overcome  the  obstacles  in  the  way  of 
the  cross,  and  reached  the  blessed  period  of  true 
fellowship  with  the  Lord,  have  a  promise  that  the 
Lord  will  make  them  '■^pillars  in  the  temple." 
They  shall  stand  in  the  mystical  temple,  as  wit- 
nesses to  the  Lord,  monuments  of  divine  power 
and  love,  bearing  on  them  a  sacred  inscription 
which  shall  proclaim  the  glory  of  the  great 
Redeemer.  Thus  it  is  said,  "  1  will  write  upon 
him  the  name  of  my  God," — "  And  1  will  write 
upon  him  my  new  name  :" — that  is,  visibly  de- 
monstrate in  each  of  these  pillars  of  memorial 
the  glory  of  the  divine  perfections — in  the  work 
of  redeeming  love.  "  The  name  of  my  God,''^  that 
is,  mine  in  the  covenant,  which  constitutes  me 
second  Adam  :  "  1  ascend  to  my  God  and  your 
God."  "  Mij  new  name,"  that  is,  my  character 
as  man's  incarnate  friend,  deliverer,  life.  All 
this  we  know  to  be  verified  in  the  saints,  for  they 
are  the  property  that  God  has  redeemed  from 
destruction,  by  a  display  of  power,  love,  truth, 
justice,  &c.  all  working  honourably  for  man 
through  the  propitiation  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 
In  consequence,  this  property  is  called  forth  and 


A    NEW    SPRDia    OP   OBEDIENCE.  133 

marked  or  sealed,  according  to  the  vision  recorded 
in  Ezekiel  ix.  2,  or  the  Parable  spoken  by  Jesus  in 
John  X.  3,  27. 

But  we  may  enquire  how  and  by  what  means 
do  the  saints  fulfil  these  figures  ?  how  are  they 
constituted  pillars  ?  and  how  is  the  inscription 
made  ?  We  assuredly  know  that  no  power  short 
of  that  which  is  infinite  could  accomplish  any  part 
of  this  work.  And  when  we  look  for  a  hand  by 
which  we  may  expect  to  see  the  fulfilment  of 
these  hopes,  it  is  our  joy  to  find  thfit  Jehovah 
undertakes  the  gracious  work.  It  is  in  this  light 
that  the  inspired  psalmist  looked  upon  his  own 
exercise  of  gifts  as  a  prophet,  so  that  his  tongue 
whilst  loosened  to  speak  in  enraptured  strains  of 
the  Holy  One,  was  but  an  instrument,  it  was  ass 
"  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer.''^  Just  so  we  may 
affirm  in  respect  of  this  writing  of  memorial,  not 
in  this  case  indeed  using  man's  faculty  of  speech 
as  the  instrument  for  making  the  inscription,  but 
with  the  finger  of  the  living  God,  and  as  it  were 
dipped  in  the  heart's  blood  of  Jesus,  making  the 
indelible  impression.  Short  of  this,  no  living  in- 
scription can  be  produced,  no  effectual  impress  be 
secured :  but  by  this  omnipotence,  a  writing  is 
effected,  which  neither  time,  nor  malice,  nor  fraud 
shall  ever  erase. 

Behold  then  the  prepared  material,  even  the 
sanctified  and  softened  faculties  and  affections 
of  the  believer,  made  ready  to  receive  the  im- 
press. Behold  the  willing  and  omnipotent  inscriber, 
13 


134  THE    SENSE    OF    UNION 

even  the  eternal  covenant  Spirit  himself  eri' 
gaged  to  effect  the  sacred  register.  And  behold 
the  inscription,  even  the  holy  and  blessed  com- 
nDandment,  according  to  the  divine  promise,"  "I 
will  put  my  laws  in  their  minds,  and  write  them 
in  their  hearts.  And  I  will  be  to  them  a  God, 
and  they  shall  be  to  me  a  people.  A  new  heart 
will  I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within 
you.  And  I  will  take  away  the  heart  of  stone 
out  of  your  flesh,  and  v^'ill  give  you  a  heart  of 
flesh.  And  I  will  put  my  Spirit  within  you,  and 
cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes  and  keep  my 
laws :"  see  Jer.  xxxi.  33.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26. 
Heb.  viii.  10.  A  privilege  evidently  not  limited 
to  Israel,  since  the  apostle  writing  to  the  Cor- 
inthians has  this  conclusive  passage,  "Ye  are 
manifestly  declared  to  be  the  epistle  of  Christ, 
ministered  by  us,  written  not  with  ink,  but 
with  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God ;  not  in  tables 
of  stone,  but  in  fleshly  tables  of  the  heart." 
2  Cor.  iii.  3. 

Thus  we  are  led  to  the  testimony  so  often 
referred  to  in  Rom.  viii.  2,  4.  wherein  this  spiritual 
elevation  and  conformity  to  the  divine  law  is 
styled  "the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ 
Jesus."  The  spirit  of  life,  that  is  the  eternal 
Holy  Spirit  who  is  life,  and  who  in  his  covenant 
ofiice  is  the  author  of  spiritual  life  to  dead  souls. 
John  vi.  63 ;  iii.  5.  '•  In  Christ  Jesus,"  that  is, 
possessed  by,  and  operative  in  them  consequently 
upon  his  being  Christ's  in  a  covenant  relation  for 


A.    NEW    SPRING    OP    OBEDIENCE.  135 

his  people,  and  as  propitiated  through  Christ's 
finished  work.  Tlie  law  of  the  spirit  of  Hfe, 
because  it  is  the  new  principle  of  governing  jJower 
in  all  who  are  united  to  Christ,  according  to  what 
has  been  shewn  of  Rom.  vii.  4,  6.  being  that 
vigorous  and  holy  principle  which  is  continually 
bringing  forth  fruit  unto  God,  not  in  the  oldness  of 
the  letter,  but  in  newness  of  the  spirit.  To  believ- 
ers, thus  prepared,  united,  taught,  and  quickened, 
obedience  becomes  an  existence.  It  is  as  the  com- 
pliance of  the  members  of  the  body  with  the  voli- 
tions of  the  mind,  being  a  law  of  action  in  the  new 
creature,  and  so  prompt,  immediate,  and  instinctive, 
as  the  apostle  shews  by  the  experience  of  his  own 
soul,  recorded  in  Gal.  ii.  20. 

In  an  obedience  of  this  description  there  is 
peculiar  delight,  for  it  is  attended  with  a  sense 
of  power  to  obey,  so  as  to  raise  the  soul  above 
the  depression  of  fears  and  doubts.  A  privilege 
which  is  singularly  precious  when  duties  are 
arduous,  and  obedience  conducts  us  into  situa- 
tions of  affliction  of  body  or  mind.  It  is  a  sus- 
taining thought  that  grace  shall  be  equal  to  our 
day ;  that  sin  shall  not  have  the  dominion  ;  that 
even  if  called  to  seal  our  witness  by  death 
"  behold  we  live,"  having  an  existence  which  no 
enemy  can  approach,  and  an  eternal  rest  to  which 
death  shall  introduce  the  soul.  These  are  assur- 
ances which  arise  out  of  blessed  certainty  of  our 
union  with  the  Lord.  There  is  also  in  this  obe- 
dience a  pure  dehght,  arising  out  of  sincere  love 


136  THE    SENSE    OF    UNION 

of  the  authority  and  appreciation  of  the  precept. 
And  there  is  a  provision  also  for  abiding  peace, 
even  in  circumstances  where  this  privilege  must 
be  lost,  were  it  not  for  a  persuasion  that  as 
united  to  Christ,  no  enemy  can  destroy  us ;  and 
that  even  in  those  most  lamentable  times  when 
we  groan  under  the  influence  of  corruption,  or 
bewail  our  inconsistencies  and  shortcomings,  we 
still  possess  the  living  source  of  life  and  love, 
who  will  arise  to  our  help  and  complete  our 
deliverance.  It  is  in  these  views  that  the 
believer  exclaims,  "  Rejoice  not  against  me,  O 
mine  enemy ;  when  I  fall  I  shall  rise,  when  I  sit 
in  darkness  the  Lord  shall  be  a  light  unto  me." 
Micah  vii.  8.  And  it  is  hence  that  he  obtains 
invigorating  motives  again  and  again,  to  contend 
for  the  prize. 

Thus  it  will  be  evident  that  such  an  one  glorifies 
the  Lord,  by  a  holy  consistency  of  principle  and 
practice  with  his  relation  to  Christ  as  his  realized 
Lord  and  Portion ;  and  that  he  is  one  of  those 
favoured  souls  in  whom  God's  grace  and  name  are 
magnified.  Gal.  i.  24. 

Let  us  endeavour  to  ascertain  whether  we 
have  these  visible  distinctions ;  it  is  of  eternal 
moment,  and  should  be  considered  by  each  of  us, 
individually,  as  a  point  on  which  a  humble  solici- 
tude should  be  exercised.  By  examination  of 
God's  word  respecting  the  experience  of  one  who 
is  sensibly  united  to  Christ,  we  shall  without 
diflficulty    be    enabled,    not    only    to    determine 


A    NEW    SPRING    OP   OBEDIENCE.  137 

whether  we  may  lay  claim  to  the  blessing  of  saying, 
"I  am  my  beloved's,  and  his  desire  is  towards 
me,"  but  whether  we  may  advance  into  the  fur- 
ther stage  of  privilege  also,  and  add,  that  the  life 
which  we  now  live  in,  the  flesh  is  by  the  faith 
of  the  Son  of  God.  Surely  we  cannot  complain 
of  any  obstacle  to  the  discovery  of  our  real  state 
before  God,  when  we  have  such  multiplied  testi- 
monies so  explanatory  of  the  experience  and 
disposition  of  the  Lord's  children.  On  the  pre- 
sent occasion,  for  instance,  we  are  assisted,  and 
have  only  to  compare  what  we  have  read  with  the 
course  we  are  pursuing,  in  order  to  decide  the 
question.  It  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  the  disci- 
ples of  Jesus  follow  him  whithersoever  he  goeth. 
Rev.  xiv.  4,  5.  Have  we  this  inward  impelling 
law  of  love  1  Is  it  a  law  which  is  gladly  accepted 
as  a  delightful  obligation,  as  a  service  in  which  is 
perfect  freedom,  not  with  a  tardy  and  reluctant 
disposition  but  a  cheerful  readiness  to  every 
counsel  that  we  believe  to  be  of  God  ?  If  so,  we 
have  a  joyful  manifestation  of  the  Spirit's  grace, 
in  which  we  do  well  to  exult,  seeing  that  it  is 
hereby  he  decketh  us  with  ornaments,  and  sup- 
plies us  with  lasting  principles  unto  holiness. 
And  we  shall  also  do  well  as  possessed  of  such 
distinctions,  to  stir  up  the  spiritual  gift  that  is  in 
us.  There  is  no  other  spring  of  peaceful  per- 
severing service,  but  what  we  derive  from  union 
with  Christ.  All  efforts  after  consistency  made 
in  any  other  way  will  be  found  vain.  In  Christ 
13* 


138  THE    SENSE    OF   UNION 

is  our  fruit  found,  Hos.  xiv.  8.  and  by  this  one- 
ness witti  him,  abundance  will  be  produced.  It 
is  our  duty  to  act  in  faith  upon  this  assurance, 
coming  out  into  a  distinguished  profession  of  the 
faith.  We  are  to  be  in  the  world  as  legible 
epistles  known  and  read  of  all  men,  or  exalted 
pillars  inviting  the  traveller's  eye,  and  presenting 
the  important  inscription  of  the  law,  as  Christ's 
redeemed.  We  are  to  appear  suitably  attired 
with  our  dignity  and  high  station,  that  men  may 
perceive  the  exaltation  to  which  Christ's  bride  is 
raised.  This  must  be  done  by  a  conduct  that  is 
conformed  to  the  mind  of  God,  and  in  a  spirit  that 
is  manifestly  not  of  this  world.  How  can  this 
be  effected,  but  by  supernatural  existence  ?  How 
can  men  know  this  our  privilege,  but  by  decided 
discipleship  ?  Let  us,  therefore,  be  increasingly 
vigilant  in  separating  from  the  world,  and  in 
striving  to  live  as  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  Christ. 
If  on  examination  of  the  heart  we  cannot  dis- 
cover these  principles ;  if  there  be  no  peculiarity 
of  aflfections,  no  visible  profession,  no  exhibited 
ornaments,  what  shall  we  say  of  our  miserably 
forlorn  and  destitute  condition?  It  is  impossible 
to  conceive  of  a  misery  so  awful  and  extensive  as 
that  which  at  this  very  moment  overspreads  such 
a  soul ;  "  and  what  will  ye  do  in  the  end  thereof?^ 
None  but  the  wife  will  sit  down  at  the  marriage 
supper  of  the  Lamb :  none  but  she  shout  the  high 
hallelujah,  which  shall  proclaim  the  Bridegroom's 
praise:  none  else  shall  escape  the  condemnation, 


A    NEW    SPRING    OF    OBEDIENCE.  139 

or  be  rescued  from  going  down  into  the  pit.  Is  it 
not,  therefore,  a  fearful  thing  to  trifle  away  the 
transitory  monnents  of  time,  whilst  hasting  to  such 
a  tremendous  eternity  ?  And  should  not  the  self- 
condemnation  which  results  from  comparing  the 
experience  of  God's  heritage,  with  that  of  the 
wretchedly  blasted  soul  that  is  still  in  its  native 
alienation  from  the  Lord,  be  sufficient  to  suggest 
the  necessity  of  seeking  the  only  remedy  in  Christ 
Jesus  ? 

Here  let  us  pause ;  and,  previously  to  a  closer 
examination  of  the  character  of  the  spouse,  medi- 
tate upon  what  constitutes  a  bliss  thus  pure, 
lasting,  and  peculiar :  that  so  we  may  be  induced 
by  the  Spirit's  persisting  grace  to  bend  the  knee 
of  a  suppliant,  and  ask  the  visitations  of  life  and 
mercy  ! 


THE  EXHIBITION  OF  PECULIAR 
HOLINESS. 

Canticles  vi.  2,  3. 

We  will  now  give  our  attention  to  the  state  of  a 
believer's  heart  as  cultivated,  or  replenished  with 
the  principle  of  holiness  derived  from  union  with 
Christ,  and  producing  a  region  wherein  both  him- 
self and  the  Lord  find  sacred  delight.  This  is 
represented  to  us  by  a  variety  of  figures  borrowed 
from  natural  objects,  one  of  which  we  find  in  the 
testimony  which  the  church  gives  of  her  beloved, 
"  My  beloved  is  gone  down  into  his  garden,  to  the 
beds  of  spices  to  feed  in  the  gardens,  and  to 
gather  lilies :  I  am  my  beloved's,  and  my  beloved 
is  mine ;  he  feedeth  among  the  lilies."  Cant.  vi. 
2,  3.  Here  the  state  of  the  church,  and  of  the 
members  of  the  church,  is  very  interestingly 
represented  by  a  fruitful  and  fragrant  garden, 
which  as  exhibiting  the  care  and  skill  of  the 
great  proprietoi',  preserves  the  idea  which  we 
stated  in  the  last  subject,  namely,  that  the 
covenant  design  of  God  is  to  produce  in  his 
people  a  visible  dignity,  consisting  of  visible 
holiness,  and  corresponding  with  the  high  relation 
of  a  redeemed  soul  to  Christ  as  its  Lord  and 
Husband. 


EXHIBITION   OF   PECULIAR   HOLINESS.  141 

In  proceeding  to  investigate  this  subject,  we 
must  in  the  first  place  observe,  that  a  distinction 
is  ever  to  be  kept  in  view  as  existing  in  the 
spiritual  truth  inculcated  by  this  emblem :  we 
must  discriminate  between  the  soil  into  which  the 
seed  is  sown,  and  the  seed  itself.  This  is  a  very 
important  distinction,  which,  if  lost  sight  of, 
would  involve  some  of  the  essential  doctrines  of 
the  faith,  and  introduce  a  confusion  into  the 
nature  of  our  experience.  Therefore  it  will  be 
profitable  to  call  up  our  reflections  on  this  occa- 
sion into  a  suitable  act.  The  soil  is  the  heart  as 
renewed  by  divine  grace,  or  the  faculties  and 
aflfections  of  man  rescued  from  the  tempter's 
power,  and  brought  into  the  possession  of  their 
proper  owner.  Thus  we  have  seen  in  the  fore- 
going pages,  that  in  conversion  God  accomplishes 
his  own  blessed  will,  by  separating  the  soul  from 
the  world,  taking  it  as  it  were  from  the  wide 
waste  and  open  field,  and  by  a  mighty  act  of 
power  setting  it  apart  for  culture :  thus  it  is 
written,  "  I  have  chosen  you  out  of  the  world," 
John  XV.  19.  "  Ye  are  a  chosen  generation." 
1  Peter  ii.  9.  "  The  elect's  sake  whom  he  hath 
chosen"  Mark  xiii.  20.  Thus  separated,  we  have 
seen  how  the  property  comes  under  God's 
cultivating  dispensations.  The  fallow  ground  is 
broken  up  by  conviction  and  experience,  and 
the  chosen  spot  is  hedged  round  and  prepared 
for  future  produce : — figures  assumed  with  this 
design  in  Jer.  iv.  3,  4.    Isa.  v.  2,    It  is  thus  that 


142  THE   ieXHIBlTlON 

the  soul  is  made  what  Jesus  describes  it, — honest 
or  good,  Luke  viii.  15,  and  prepared  for  the  re- 
ception of  the  seed.  The  seed  that  is  sown,  may- 
be considered  either  as  the  word  of  God,  or  the 
Spirit  of  God,  for  in  both  instances  the  scriptures 
give  this  appellation.  Thus,  in  Luke  viii.  11,  it 
is  written,  "  The  seed  is  the  word  of  God."  And 
in  1  Peter  i.  23,  "  Being  born  again,  not  of  cor- 
ruptible, but  of  incorruptible  seed  by  the  word 
of  God.  In  either  case  it  is  descriptive  of  a  new 
existence  wrought  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  im- 
parling to  the  soil  an  imperishable  possession. 
Of  the  seed  we  must  conclude  it  is  perfect.  If  it 
be  the  written  word,  it  is  faultless,  pure,  able  to 
make  us  wise  to  salvation,  sufficient  to  furnish 
the  man  of  God  with  direction  for  every  good 
word  and  work,  and  justifying  the  testimony, 
"Thy  word  is  perfect:" — "Thy  word  is  pure — 
even  as  silver  seven  times  tried  in  the  fire."  If 
it  be  of  the  Divine  Spirit  that  the  scripture  thus 
speaks,  it  follows  of  course  that  this  seed  is  per- 
fect, and  that  whatever  is  to  be  considered  his 
work  in  the  soul,  must  correspond  with  his  own 
excellence,  for  "  His  icork  is  perfect."  Deut. 
xxxi.  4.  These  observations  are  intended  to  shew 
that  impediments,  or  hindrances,  to  the  true 
developement  of  the  plant  or  flower  do  not  arise 
from  any  evil  in  the  quality  of  the  seed.  Were 
this  to  develope  itself  according  to  its  own 
excellency,  we  should  behold  the  gradual  opening 
forth  of  a  perfect  production,  and  every  lovely 


OF   PECULIAR   HOLINESS.  143 

flower  and  fruit  in  the  spiritual  garden  would 
answer  to  the  goodness  of  the  seed  sown.  Hin- 
drances are  therefore  to  be  attributed  to  the  soil, 
or  to  something  remaining  in  our  faculties  and 
affections  unfriendly  or  prejudicial  to  the  growth 
of  heavenly  plants,  and  this  we  readily  understand, 
when  we  credit  the  revelation  which  shews  that 
"the  flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,"  or  feel 
that  "  there  is  a  law  in  our  members  warring 
against  the  law  in  our  minds,"  and  that  "  the 
spirit  that  is  in  us  lusteth  to  envy."  It  is  in 
consequence  of  these  evils  that  sometimes  lament- 
able ^/7^perfection  is  discoverable  in  the  Christian 
productions  ;  so  that  even  of  these  it  may  be  said, 
thorns  and  briars  growing  up  they  bring  no  fruit 
properly  to  perfection  ;  and  are  chargeable  with 
a  state  which  the  Lord  severely  rebukes,  saying, 
"I  have  not  found  thy  works  perfect,"  Rev.  iii. 
2.  Hence  we  perceive  the  necessity  of  having  a 
spirit  of  watchfulness,  and  a  right  understanding 
of  the  privilege  of  which  we  are  now  to  speak, 
looking  to  the  t7-ue  result  of  divine  culture,  and 
for  the  proper  production  of  a  heaven-born  plant. 

We  will  now  examine  some  of  those  produc- 
tions in  which  the  Lord  delights,  and  from  which 
the  believer  has  conscious  joy. 

We  may  select  some  of  the  principal  fruits 
which  grow  in  the  regenerate  soul,  and  enterinor 
into  this  garden  of  the  Lord  examine  the  singular 
beauties.  Amongst  these  we  behold  standing  in 
conspicuous  beauty,  the  precious  grace  of   faith. 


144  THE   EXHIBITIOM 

Of  this  production  we  are  to  form  the  highest 
estimate,  not  that  we  would  give  more  prominent 
excellence  to  one  holy  plant  than  to  another,  as 
they  are  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  but  that  in  the 
order  of  this  spiritual  existence,  faith  is  con- 
sidered as  a  kind  of  parent  plant,  since  it  is 
hereby  that  we  instrumentally  apprehend  the 
object  revealed  in  the  scriptures,  and  derive 
to  the  vital  principles  new  vigour  and  sustain- 
ing supplies.  It  is  introduced  into  the  soul  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  all  the  privileges  of  a 
chosen  and  consecrated  state,  and  is  consequently 
highly  commended  in  the  word.  It  is  the  faith 
of  God's  elect.  Titus  i.  1.  It  is  the  faith  of  which 
Jesus  is  the  author  and  finisher.  Heb.  xii.  2.  It 
is  the  faith  which  gives  evidence  of  things  not 
seen,  and  substance  to  things  hoped  for.  Heb,  xi. 
1.  It  is  the  faith  which  being  mixed  with  the 
word,  gives  invigorating  energy  to  what  we  hear 
and  receive.  Heb.  iv.  2.  And  in  short,  it  is  the 
faith  which,  as  so  constituted  by  the  gracious 
Giver,  imparts  a  power  of  universal  evangelical 
obedience,  as  it  is  written,  "  this  is  the  work 
of  God,  that  ye  believe  on  him  whom  he  hath 
sent.'  John  vi.  29. 

Advancing  further  into  the  sacred  spot  we 
contemplate  the  wide-spreading  tree  which  we 
may  distinguish  to  be  holy  fear.  It  is  designed 
to  be  a  plant  of  health  to  the  garden,  and  to 
extend  its  overshadowing  boughs  throughout.  It 
is  an  absolute    requisite  to  the   preservation  and 


OF    PECULIAR    HOLINESS.  145 

beauty  of  every  other  production,  and  therefore 
forms  a  principal  feature  of  that  life  which  the 
covenant  promises,  "  I  will  put  my  fear  into  your 
hearts,"  Jer.  xxxii,  40 : — a  promise  which  is 
enforced  as  an  important  possession  by  the  apos- 
tolic precept,  "Let  us  have  grace  whereby  we 
may  serve  God  with  reverence  and  godly  fear," 
Heb.  xii.  28.  Our  natural  propensity  is  to 
irreverence,  as  is  evident  not  only  in  the  bold  and 
daring  conduct  of  the  licentious,  but  in  ihe  dispo- 
sition, deportment  and  language  of  many  professed 
Christians,  who  walk  carelessly  and  inconsistently, 
indulging  in  levity,  and  trespassing  against  the 
spirit  of  vigilance.  As  a  counteraction  to  this  evil, 
the  Lord  plants  in  his  garden  this  salutary 
Fear. 

But  this  is  no  enslaving  dread  :  the  overshadow- 
ing boughs  are  not  designed  to  shed  a  gloomy 
aspect  on  the  spicy  beds  and  flowei^,  but  on  the 
contrary  to  preserve  them  in  legitimate  liveliness, 
by  preventing  those  evils  which,  if  allowed, 
would  gather  into  gloomy  clouds,  overspread  the 
sky,  and  fall  in  desolating  storms.  The  garden 
of  the  Lord  is  precious  in  his  sight,  and  he  designs 
that  it  should  produce  gladdening  influences  to 
the  soul.  Hence  lively  hope  forms  one  of  its 
peculiar  plants,  and  impregnates  the  air  with 
its  reviving  fragrancy.  The  blessed  and  enlivening 
effects  of  this  heavenly  grace  is  very  forcibly 
expressed  by  Jer.  xvii.  7,  8.  "  Blessed  is  the 
man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  and  whose  hope  the 
14 


146  THE    EXHIBITION 

Lord  is.  For  he  shall  be  hke  a  tree  planted  by 
the  waters,  and  that  spreadeth  out  her  roots  by  the 
river,  and  shall  not  see  when  heat  cometh,  but  her 
leaf  shall  be  green,  and  shall  not  be  careful  in 
the  year  of  drought,  neither  shall  cease  from  yield- 
ing fruit." 

Love  will  lend  its  pure  savour  to  the  blest  abode, 
for  here  the  holy  affections  of  a  devoted  simple 
heart  are  free,  alert,  and  fervent.  Of  this  as 
belonging  to  the  culture  of  the  Lord,  the  Spirit 
expressly  testifies,  "  The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is 
love,"  Gal.  v.  22.  The  love  of  God  shed  abroad 
in  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost :  Rom.  v.  5.  A 
love  which  is  described  as  tender,  constraining, 
true,  and  therefore  styled  the  love  of  espousals. 
Jer.  ii.  2. 

To  these  we  may  add  this  blessed  assurance,  that 
as  an  attendant  upon  such  dispositions  there  will 
ever  be  the  sure  and  sacred  Peace,  of  which  the 
desert  world  is  destitute.  To  this  garden  of  the 
Lord  we  must  look  if  we  inquire  after  the  manifes- 
tation of  peace,  for  to  this  sacred  region  it  was 
bequeathed — "  My  peace  I  give  unto  you,"  John 
xiv.  27.  A  bequest  which  belongs  to  the  divine 
covenant,  for  it  is  one  of  the  privileges  secured  to 
the  saints  thereby,  as  it  is  written,  "Great  shall 
be  the  peace  of  thy  children,"  Isa.  liv.  13  ; 
according  to  the  scripture  account  of  Jesus'  king- 
dom, which  is  "  righteousness  and  peace,  and  joy 
in  the  Holy  Ghost."     Rom.  xiv.  17. 

These    are   all   requisites   towards    the    visible 


OF    PECULIAR    HOLINESS.  147 

developement  of  the  beauty  which  we  find  ascribed 
to  the  church ;  and  with  these  there  will  always  be 
the  accompaniment  of  every  other  supernatural 
fruit  flowing  from  union  with  Jesus,  and  the  infu- 
sion of  the  Spirit  as  a  law  of  obedience  in  the  soul. 
Many  highly  interesting  and  practical  considerations 
belong  to  this  covenant  arrangement. 

In  the  first  place  it  is  thus  that  the  great  pro- 
prietor of  the  property  is  glorified,  or  crowned,  in 
his  espousals ;  for  hereby  the  world  has  an  exhibi- 
tion of  the  covenant  which  it  can  in  some  degree 
understand.  This  we  can  readily  comprehend  by 
looking  to  the  emblem  before  us.  Who  for  instance 
does  not  know,  when  in  the  course  of  his  travels 
he  passes  by  or  comes  into  the  vicinity  of  a  vine- 
yard or  garden,  or  bed  of  spices  ?  He  possibly 
has  no  right  of  access,  no  interest  in  the  property ; 
yet  the  fragrancy  is  a  decisive  evidence  that  valu- 
able plants  are  within  the  enclosure  ;  yea  more,  he 
is  also  refreshed  by  the  sweetness,  and  will  speak 
words  of  commendation  of  the  plants.  Just  so 
will  it  be  in  the  existence  of  a  Christian,  whose 
conversation  and  walk  give  forth  the  true  sweet- 
ness of  the  heavenly  life  ;  there  is  something  in  it 
which  constrains  a  tribute  from  the  world,  and 
many  times  produces  even  an  affection  of  gratitude 
and  love  in  those  more  imrtiediately  connected  with 
him,  so  that  in  this  sense  we  may  say,  "the 
wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for 
them."     Isa.  XXXV.  1. 

That  the  church  is  refreshed  by  such  sacred 


148 


THE    EXHIBITIOJf 


plants  within  her  walls  will  not  be  questioned.  It 
is  in  this  way  that  believers  are  rendered  blessings 
to  each  other.  Many  tinies  the  inexperienced,  the 
fearful,  or  weak,  are  exceedingly  excited,  com- 
forted and  strengthened  by  the  sweet  savour  of 
those  plants  we  have  been  contemplating.  And 
by  the  faith,  fear,  hope,  love,  and  peace  which 
yield  their  fragrancy  from  the  inward  garden  in  a 
brother's  soul,  they  are  quickened  in  the  life  of 
faith  ;  whilst  the  more  established  are  mutual  helps 
and  joy  to  each  other:  and  God  the  Author  of  all 
is  magnified  in  them.     Eph.  iv.  16. 

Angels  also  draw  from  such  regions  fresh  motives 
for  new  tributes  of  adoring  love  and  praise. 
They  look  upon  the  wonderful  productions  which 
succeed  to  the  baneful  and  unprofitable  fruits  of 
the  native  soil :  and  knowing  from  whence  the 
change  proceeds,  they  lift  their  admiring  contem- 
plation to  the  everlasting  throne,  and  extol  their 
God.  Thus,  these  heavenly  inhabitants  of  the 
higher  world  are  instructed  to  his  praise.  Eph.  iiL 
10.  Nor  can  we  doubt  that  even  before  fallen 
diabolical  spirits  the  Lord  is  glorified,  when  they, 
beholding  the  fair  garden  of  his  grace  see  how 
their  malignant  designs  are  subverted,  how  sinners 
are  rescued  from  the  curse,  and  how  effectual  the 
love  of  him  who  undertook  man's  cause  has  proved 
in  these  favoured  scenes.  That  such  is  the  result 
to  evil  spirits  seems  unquestionable  by  the  record 
we  have  of  Jehovah's  appeal  respecting  Job.  See 
Job.  i.  8. 


OF    PECULIAR    HOLINESS.  149 

It  is  important  to  remember  also  that  a  vast 
proportion  of  individual  enjoj'ment  is  connected 
with  this  state.  There  is  a  reward  of  grace  which 
is  reserved  for  the  faithful  even  whilst  they  are 
here  below  ;  and  this  reward  is  said  to  be  gathered 
out  of  the  garden.  Thus  we  read,  in  reference 
to  this  very  point,  that  in  the  remuneration  which 
is  arranged  respecting  the  productions  of  Christ's 
vineyard,  he  must  have  a  thousand  pieces  of  silver, 
and  those  that  keep  the  fruit  thereof  two  hundred : 
Can.  viii.  11,  12.  that  is,  the  chief  proprietor, 
who  is  Christ,  must  have  the  supreme  tribute, 
but  the  delegated  keepers  shall  have  a  rich  reward 
for  their  diligence.  And  so  under  another  figure 
the  same  truth  is  affirmed,  for  the  Lord  entering 
into  his  garden,  and  gathering  his  pleasant  fruits, 
on  which  he  does  himself  vouchsafe  to  feed,  invites 
his  people  to  participate,  saying,  "  1  have  eaten 
my  honeycomb  with  my  honey,  I  have  drunk  my 
wine  with  my  milk  :  eat,  O  friends,  drink,  yea  drink 
abundantly,  O  beloved."  Can.  v.  1.  And  corres- 
pondently  it  is  said  in  Prov.  xiv.  14.  "  A  good 
man  shall  be  satisfied  from  himself."  A  vigilant 
believer  cannot  but  know,  if  his  garden  be  fruitful, 
prosperous,  productive  ;  knowing  it  to  be  so  he 
cannot  but  rejoice.  It  is  pleasureable  to  him  to 
look  upon  his  thriving  plants.  And  although  his 
great  design  is  to  bring  forth  abundantly  for  his 
Lord,  he  experiences  even  by  this  very  affection 
when  gratified  an  unspeakable  delight  of  love.. 
These  are  feelings  very  beautifully  set  forth  in. 
14* 


150  THE   EXHIBITION 

some  of  the  passages  which  we  find  in  the  book  of 
Canticles.  Thus  we  read  the  joyful  conscious 
assurance  of  the  Lord's  complacent  pleasure  in  bis 
garden.  "  He  feedeth  among  the  lilies."  Can.  ii. 
16.  "  Let  my  beloved  come  into  his  garden  and 
eat  his  pleasant  fruits."  Can,  iv.  16.  "  At  our  gates 
are  all  manner  of  pleasant  fruits  which  I  have  laid 
up  for  thee,  O  my  beloved."  Can.  vii.  13.  This  is 
therefore  no  legal  spirit  of  bondage,  but  the  confi- 
dence of  joyful  liberty,  conveying  to  the  soul  an 
indescribable  enjoyment  into  which  Jesus  the  Lord 
graciously  enters  delighting  to  meet,  and  satisfy 
these  fervent  and  pure  desires. 

Thus  there  is  a  mutual  joy,  a  joy  belonging  to 
oneness  of  heart,  of  spirit,  of  interest.  And  we 
behold  the  expression  of  the  union  subsisting 
between  Christ  and  the  espoused  soul,  in  characters 
altogether  corresponding  with  the  singular  and 
blissful  espousals. 

We  should  prove  our  own  selves  in  every 
advancing  stage  of  experience  through  which  we 
are  passing  in  this  investigation  of  the  Christian's 
progress.  And  ere  we  dismiss  this  part  of  the 
subject,  we  shall  do  well  to  look  to  the  soil  within 
ourselves,  and  see  whether  there  be  any  thing  like 
the  productions  of  a  garden  of  the  Lord.  That 
there  is  a  positive  necessity  for  the  fruits,  or  plants,, 
which  have  been  specified,  will  be  ascertained 
by  God's  own  word.  It  is  written,  "  without 
faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God."  Heb.  xi. 
6,     It  is   proclaimed,    "  Know  therefore  and  sea 


OF   PECULIAR   HOLINESS.  151 

that  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter  that  thou  hast 
forsaken  the  Lord  God,  and  that  my  fear  is  not 
in  thee."  Jer.  ii.  19.  The  wretchedly  criminal 
state  of  a  hopeless  soul  is  affectingly  recorded, 
"  Thou  saidst  there  is  no  hope,  for  we  have  loved 
strangers,  and  after  them  we  will  go."  That  love 
is  a  requisite  we  read  by  the  Apostle's  testimony, 
that  no  deeds  or  profession  will  avail  where  this 
disposition  is  not,  "  For  in  Jesus  Christ  neither 
circumcision  availeth  any  thing  nor  uncircum- 
cision,  but  faith  which  worketh  by  /oue."  Gal.  v.  6. 
Whilst  in  respect  of  peace,  the  absence  thereof 
is  proclaimed  to  be  a  mark  of  the  apostate  man 
who  knows  not  God.  "  The  way  of  peace  they 
have  not  known."  Rom.  iii.  17.  With  these  pas- 
sages clearly  before  us,  we  can  make  no  mistake, 
unless  we  wilfully  and  perversely  close  our  eyes. 
And  it  settles  the  judgment  we  ought  to  pass  upon 
our  own  state,  if  we  find  not  such  dispositions 
within  us. 

It  is  especially  terrible  if  this  barrenness  remains 
in  the  midst  of  privileges  and  opportunities  as 
is  not  unfrequently  the  case.  "  The  earth  which 
drinketh  in  the  showers  that  come  oft  upon  it," 
and  still  produces  "  thorns  and  briars"  only,  "  is 
nigh  unto  cursing  whose  end  is  to  be  burned." 
Heb.  vi.  7.  And  places  favoured  with  a  gospel 
dispensation,  that  is  abused,  are  hasting  to  the 
judgment  which  will  throw  down  the  fence,  and 
give  them  to  the  beasts  of  the  earth,  or  to  the 
desolating  curse  of  judicial  bax'renness.  Isa.  v.  6. 


152 


THE    EXHIBITION    OF    HOLINESS. 


If  we  are  blest  by  the  more  precious  evidence 
of  having  the  fruits  that  are  here  described,  let  us 
learn  to  use  the  distinction  legitimately,  diligently 
tracing  it  up  to  its  glorious  origin ;  remembering, 
that  it  is  from  Jesus  our  fruit  is  found  ;  gratefully 
blessing  him  for  that  sovereign  grace  which  sepa- 
rated us  from  the  world  ;  and  that  patient  love 
which  has  continued  to  cultivate  the  soil,  keeping 
the  garden  for  the  Lord,  and  ever  seeking  his 
presence  there  as  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  our  soul ; 
knowing  that  in  this  the  blessedness  of  the  inward 
Eden  consists,  for  vain  would  be  plants,  and  flowers, 
and  fruits,  were  not  our  souls'  beloved  with  us  in 
the  consecrated  spot.  Let  us  be  instructed  by  the 
diligence  we  see  expressed  by  many  in  their  natural 
state,  who  for  the  purpose  of  adorning  their  dwell- 
ing, to  please  and  gratify  the  objects  of  their  affec- 
tion, spare  no  cost  or  pains.  And  let  us  emulate 
the  higher  expression  from  higher  motives  in  love 
of  him  who  died  for  us.  If  we  have  this  dispo- 
sition we  shall  know  how  to  pluck,  and  eat  the  fruit, 
according  to  the  privilege  of  love  ;  and  our  own 
experience  will  be  a  blessed  answer  to  the  voice  of 
Jesus'  bride  echoing  through  the  sacred  page  ! 


KEEPING  OF  THE  HEART  BY 
VIGILANCE. 

Prov.  iv.  23. 

Our  last  subjects  have  exhibited  the  exceeding 
blessedness  of  the  soul  that  is  privileged  by  the 
grace  of  the  eternal  covenant  and  that  the  divine 
witness,  which  proclaims  the  conspicuous  and 
visible  glory  to  which  believers  are  ordained,  is  no 
vain  and  empty  testimony.  The  word  of  the 
Lord  is  true  ;  and  the  people  of  the  Lord  are 
visibly  distinguished :  and  blessed  be  his  name, 
the  favoured  regions  consecrated  by  his  sove- 
reign grace,  are  rendered  fruitful  in  holiness,  so 
that  they  properly  answer  to  the  emblem  of  the 
well-cultivated  earth,  and  are  in  a  spiritual  sense, 
the  gardens  of  the  Lord. 

We  must  not,  however,  whilst  contemplating 
the  privileges  of  the  believer,  lose  sight  of  that 
state  of  exposure,  and  trial,  which  attend  him 
during  his  continuance  in  this  world :  so  long  as 
he  is  in  the  world,  he  will  find  himself  encom- 
passed by  foes,  and  his  distinctions  will  not 
exempt  him  from  the  necessity  of  living  in  vigil- 
ance. This  is  manifestly  a  part  of  the  christian 
existence :  and  the  very  mention  of  his  peculiar 
heritage,  as  precious  and  chosen  by  the  Lord, 
at   once  conveys   to    us  the  notion  that  he    lies 


154  KEEPING    OF    THE    HEART 

exposed  to  peril  from  those  quarters  whence  the 
enemies  of  the  Lord  proceed.  We  have  consid- 
ered the  believer  as  chosen  and  separated  from 
the  midst  of  the  waste  and  wilderness  world,  for 
the  purpose  of  becoming  a  beautiful  Eden,  where- 
in God  might  delight,  and  we  believe  him  to 
be  like  a  walled  garden  enclosed  on  every  side. 
But  he  is  still,  although  not  of  the  world,  in  the 
world.  He  is  in  it,  not  merely  exhibiting  the 
contrast  between  what  is  waste  and  desolate,  with 
what  is  cultivated  and  fruitful,  but  as  exposed  to 
certain  evils  arising  from  the  inhabitants  of  the 
desert  from  which  he  has  been  separated.  Our 
blessed  Lord  has  many  infinitely  wise  reasons  for 
allowing  his  heritage  to  be  awhile  in  these  circum- 
stances :  but  he  does  himself  declare  them  to  be 
perilous  and  trying.  Thus  in  his  intercessory 
prayer  for  his  disciples,  when  he  was  about  to 
leave  them,  we  hear  him  expressing  his  holy  solici- 
tude in  their  behalf,  "And  now.  Father,  I  come 
to  thee  ;  but  these  are  in  the  world,  and  I  come 
to  thee.  Whilst  T  was  with  them  I  kept  them. 
Holy  Father,  keep  through  thine  own  name  them 
whom  thou  hast  given  me.  I  pray  not  that  thou 
shouldest  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but  that 
thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil."  See 
John  xvii.  The  cause  of  the  evil,  of  which  he 
speaks,  he  testifies  to  his  disciples,  "  Because  ye 
are  not  of  the  world,  but  I  have  chosen  you  out 
of  the  world,  therefore  the  world  hateth  you." 
John  XV.  19.      And  thus  he  seals  his  witness  of 


BY    VIGILANCE.  155 

their    inheritance   here    below,    saying,    "  In    the 
world  ye  shall  have  tribulation."  John  xiv.  33. 

The  nature  of  those  evils  which  are  thus  fore- 
told, will  be  readily  comprehended,  if  we  enter 
into  the  scripture  account  of  the  world  ;  which 
being  described  as  a  wilderness,  or  forest,  or 
desert,  is  according  to  these  images,  held  forth 
as  containing  inhabitants  which  agree  with  the 
place  of  their  abode.  These  are  said  to  be  wild 
beasts.  Thus  when  Daniel  had  his  vision  from 
the  Almighty,  shewing  him  what  monarchies  and 
kingdoms  would  arise  in  the  world,  he  sees  them 
represented  by  the  lion,  the  leopard,  and  the  bear. 
Dan.  vii.  17.  When  Peter  received  the  heavenly 
revelation  respecting  the  ingathering  of  the  gen- 
tiles, he  beheld  them  under  the  emblem  of  wild 
beasts,  and  four-footed  beasts  of  the  earth,  and 
all  manner  of  creeping  things.  Acts  x.  12.  Jude 
also  describes  all  natural  men  as  following  a 
bestial  instinct.  "What  they  know  naturally  as 
brute  beasts,  in  those  things  they  corrupt  them- 
selves," Jude  10.  Peter  adopts  the  same  figures 
shewing  that  men,  who  follow  their  own  perverse 
ways  and  delusions,  are  like  those  brute  beasts  that 
are  made  to  be  taken  and  destroyed, — that  is 
savage,  fierce,  hurtful ;  and  that  they  will  perish 
in  their  own  deceiving.  2  Pet.  ii.  12.  And  Paul, 
when  speaking  of  his  own  conflicting  life  as  a 
witness  for  the  truth,  has  this  remarkable  expres- 
sion, "  If  after  the  manner  of  men  I  have  fought 
with  beasts  at  Ephesus."  1  Cor.  xv.  32. 


156  KEEPING    OF    THE    HEART 

But  general  terms  do  not  suffice  the  Holy- 
Spirit,  when  shewing  this  awful  state  of  nature. 
He  therefore  assumes  such  as  are  particular :  and 
when  describing  the  spirit  of  the  wicked  against 
the  prosperity  of  the  church,  he  gives  them  ap- 
pellations taken  from  the  different  descriptions  of 
injurious  animals,  and  adapted  to  the  special 
demonstration  of  enmity  to  be  expected  from 
each.  Thus  in  Psalm  Ixxx.  13,  they  are  de- 
scribed as  the  loild  hoar  out  of  the  forest:  in 
Psalm  X.  9,  as  the  lion  lurking  in  his  den,  and 
watching  to  devour :  in  Luke  x.  3,  as  ravening 
wolves,  amongst  whom  the  lambs  are  sent  forth : 
in  Psalm  Ixiii.  10,  as  destroying  foxes,  who  will 
be  executioners  of  vengeance :  in  Isaiah  xlvi. 
11,  as  a  ravenous  bird  called  from  the  east,  to 
do  God's  vindictive  work.  These  are  also  under 
the  government  and  instigation  of  the  great  apos- 
tate, Satan,  who  is  in  his  usurpations  styled  the 
prince  of  this  world ;  the  prince  of  the  power  of 
the  air:  and  who  ranges  the  wilderness  world, 
seeking  for  his  prey.  1  Peter  v.  8. 

In  these  appellations  as  given  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  world,  we  have  awful  and  solid  truths  con- 
veyed to  the  mind  ;  and  they  are  all  assumed  by 
our  heavenly  teacher  expressly  for  our  instruc- 
tion ;  and  to  awaken  the  saints  to  understand  the 
nature  of  their  perils,  and  the  spirit  of  watchful- 
ness which  is  consequently  required. 

Let  us  now  call  to  our  recollection  the  lovely 
spot  wherein  the  fruits,  flowers,  and  plants  of  the 


BY    VIGILANCE.  157 

Lord  are  found  ;  for  it  is  against  these  tiiat  the 
inhabitants  of  the  world  are  confederate.  We 
must  therefore  expect  that  attempts  will  be  made 
correspondently  with  the  character  of  the  adver- 
sary, to  introduce  desolation  into  the  garden,  or 
to  prevail  in  impeding  the  growth,  or  marring  the 
beauty  of  the  plants.  Much  instruction  in  this 
point  may  be  obtained  by  considering  these  several 
beasts  of  prey,  in  connexion  with  the  nature  of  the 
assault  they  are  described  as  making.  Thus  of 
the  wild  boar,  it  is  said  that  his  object  is  to  root 
up  or  lay  waste  the  vine.  This  has  a  special 
application  to  the  nation  of  Israel,  and  is  well 
known  to  describe  the  suffering  lot  of  this  ancient 
people,  as  open  to  the  inroads  of  savage,  barbar- 
ous, infidel,  and  oppressive  men,  who  from  time 
to  time  have  desolated  this  vine.  The  once  beau- 
tiful plant,  whose  boughs  spread  wide  around, 
affording  blessings  to  the  earth  in  which  it  had 
been  planted,  is  now  withered  and  blasted,  a 
melancholy  spectacle  in  the  world.  Nevertheless, 
the  Lord  is  magnified  hereby,  for  persecutors 
were  instruments  of  his  displeasure.  We  how- 
ever have  to  look  to  the  disposition  of  the  enemy, 
for  it  shadows  forth  what  still  abideth  in  the 
breasts  of  men  against  the  vine,  wherever  it  may 
be :  and  the  christian  garden  lies  exposed  to  the 
hatred  and  desolating  designs  of  the  persecutors, 
equally  with  Israel  of  old.  This  will  be  deter- 
mined by  the  history  of  the  church  in  all  gene- 
rations. 

15 


158  KEEPING    OF   THE    HEART 

The  design  of  the  ravening  wolf  is  the  same, 
but  it  is  expressed  more  subtlely.  Instead  of 
visibly  ferocious  passions,  it  assumes  the  form  of 
friendly  feeling,  and  is  described  by  our  Lord, 
"  They  come  to  you  in  sheep's  clothing,  but 
inwardly  they  are  ravening  wolves."  Matt.  vii.  15. 
So  Paul  forewarns  the  Ephesians,  that  after  his 
departure,  there  would  arise  from  among  them- 
selves grievous  wolves,  not  sparing  the  flock. 
Acts  XX.  29.  This  description  of  enemy  clearly 
represents  false  teachers,  founders  of  heresy,  men 
seeking  the  gains  to  be  obtained  through  the  min- 
istry, and  sacrificing  every  sacred  truth  for  the 
end  of  private  advantage. 

The  cunning  fox  may  appear  in  the  first  instance 
to  answer  exactly  to  the  wolf,  yet  there  appears  to 
be  a  distinction :  and  the  prayer  of  the  church, 
along  with  the  rebuke  given  to  Israel,  may  serve 
to  expound  the  Spirit's  meaning.  See  Cant.  ii.  15. 
"Take  us,  the  little  foxes,  which  spoil  the  vines,  for 
our  vines  have  tender  grapes :"  and  Ezek.  xiii.  4. 
"  O  Israel,  thy  prophets  are  like  the  foxes  in  the 
deserts.  Ye  have  not  gone  up  into  the  gaps, 
either  made  up  the  hedge."  These  words  convey 
the  idea  of  those  less  discernible  evils,  which  are 
found  to  militate  against  the  health  of  the  soul, 
when  perhaps  little  observed  or  feared  ;  and  it 
seems  by  the  context  in  Ezekiel  to  intend  such 
teachers  as  speak  a  vision  out  of  their  ow7i  imagi- 
nation, and  say  Peace,  when  there  is  no  peace. 
Such  are  the  ministers,  or  professing  christians, 


BY    VIGILANCE.  159 

who  propose  a  scheme  of  mere  morals,  a  system 
of  philosophy  from  the  reasoning  of  the  natural 
mind,  instead  of  the  strong  foundation  and  beautiful 
superstructure  of  the  true  faith. 

The  ravenous  birds  of  the  air  are  an  apt  figure 
of  the  innumerable  evils^  which  arise  in  common 
life  from  the  men  of  this  world,  in  their  various 
characters  and  baneful  influences  by  which  they 
do  as  it  were  frequently  seem  to  crop  the  tender 
twig,  or  mar  or  carry  oft'  the  precious  fruit  which 
we  desire  to  behold  on  every  plant  within  the 
sacred  enclosure. 

And  awful  indeed  it  is  to  know,  that  all  these 
are  not  only  instigated  by  their  own  determined 
enmity  to  truth,  but  that  they  are  likewise  moved 
by  the  diaboHcal  and  restless  foe  to  God  and  man ; 
for  he  is  the  spirit  that  now  worketh  in  the  children 
of  disobedience.  Eph.  ii.  2. 

But  these  are  not  the  only  perils  which  attend 
the  garden  of  the  Lord  :  it  is  not  merely  from  foes 
that,  comparatively  speaking,  we  may  call  out- 
ward,  that  the  precious  plants  are  threatened. 
Let  us  call  to  mind  what  has  been  stated  respect- 
ing the  nature  of  the  soil  of  which  this  garden  is 
composed ;  recollecting  that  from  this  inward 
region  such  things  may  be  produced,  as  will 
obstruct  and  injure  its  proper  productions.  The 
natural  heart  is  prolific  of  every  evil.  The  cor- 
ruption of  our  nature  is  still  alive  within  us.  And 
on  this  account  the  apostle  earnestly  exhorts 
believers,   saying,    "Looking  diligently,   lest   any 


160  KEEPING    OF    THE  HEART 

man  fail  of  the  grace  of  God  ;  lest  any  root  of 
bitterness  springing  up  trouble  you,  and  thereby 
many  be  defiled."  Heb,  xii.  14,  15.  We  cannot 
have  any  experience,  or  any  observation  of  the 
state  of  others,  without  feeling  an  immediate  con- 
viction that  this  is  requisite.  Painfully  do  we 
know  that  the  bosom  is  liable  to  many  sad  inter- 
ruptions to  its  visible  health  and  beauty,  by  reason 
of  the  weeds  of  indolence,  presumption,  earthli- 
ness,  creature  feeling.  These  are  abominations 
springing  up  from  the  heart,  and  if  allowed  or 
unperceived,  will  shed  a  baneful  influence,  and 
even  in  the  Lord's  garden  prevent  the  perfection 
of  those  plants  which  we  are  bound  to  cultivate. 
It  is  true  that  the  life  is  imperishable,  and  the  heart 
still  alive  to  God  ;  but,  as  the  Bride  expresses  it, 
there  may  yet  be  an  induced  state  of  sleep  that  is 
highly  criminal :  it  is  inconsistent,  it  gives  oppor- 
tunity for  other  enemies  to  advance.  It  is  a  grief 
to  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  is  severely  chastened  by 
the  Lord :  see  Can.  v.  2,  3.  Eph.  iv.  30. 

We  should  be  aware  of  the  design  of  our  enemy, 
and  of  the  tendency  of  indwelling  sin.  And 
whilst  reflecting  upon  the  several  foes  against 
which  we  have  to  guard,  recollect  also  that  every 
assault  is  made  against  those  plants,  which  in  our 
former  chapter  we  examined  in  the  garden.  It 
is  faith,  and  fear,  and  hope,  and  love,  and  peace, 
that  are  attempted.  The  violence  or  fraud  of  the 
enemy  is  directed  with  an  aim  to  overturn  our 
profession,  and  either  by  terrors  or  deception  to 


BY    VIGILANCE.  161 

remove  us  from  the  foundation  in  whom  we  are 
rooted.  And  we  find  experimentally  that  by  these 
perils  our  simplicity  or  our  dependance,  our 
expectation,  or  our  fervour  are  impaired,  unless 
we  promptly  detect  and  resolutely  resist  the 
assailants ;  and  unquestionably  whenever  these 
affections  are  depressed,  our  peace  is  propor- 
tionably  so,  and  in  some  unhappy  instances  it 
is  allowed  as  a  chastisement  to  us  for  our  negli- 
gence, to  exhibit  the  appearance  of  a  leafless 
trunk. 

Spiritual  discernment  in  these  particulars  will 
prove  exceedingly  beneficial  to  the  Christian,  and 
will  enforce  the  precept  so  mercifully  given, 
"  Keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence."  There  is  a 
responsibility  laid  upon  every  individual  believer 
to  look  well  to  his  own  soul,  and  diligently  to  tend 
the  plants:  we  should  discharge  this  obligation  by 
resolute  warfare,  so  as  to  resist  the  ravenous 
beasts  which  come  against  the  garden :  and  by 
incessant  attention  to  the  soil,  so  as  to  destroy 
and  root  up  every  weed  as  it  may  appear:  and 
by  perpetual  attention  to  the  plants  themselves^ 
which  require  the  ministration  of  those  means  for 
their  vigour  which  the  Lord  has  ordained.  Thus 
for  example,  the  grace  of  faith  must  be  nurtured 
by  the  blessed  testimony  through  which  it  was 
first  begotten.  If  we  would  maintain  this  dispo- 
sition in  its  vigorous  character,  we  must  study  the 
word,  lay  up  sound  doctrine,  acquaint  ourselves 
with  the  revelation  of  promise  and  precept, 
15* 


162  KEEPING    OF   THE    HEART 

praying  for  divine  illumination  and  establishment, 
and  thus  possessing  a  clear,  impartial,  and  com- 
prehensive view  of  the  glorious  truths  faith  is 
ordained  to  embrace.  If  we  would  further  holy 
fear,  we  must  have  recourse  to  the  divine  mani- 
festations by  which  the  name  of  Jehovah,  is 
revealed,  meditating  upon  our  God  in  his  infinite 
justice,  truth,  power,  love,  and  especially  as 
exhibited  in  Christ :  the  loay  of  salvation  must  be 
frequently  contemplated  as  a  manifestation  of  the 
exceeding  glory  of  God,  and  of  the  holiness  of  his 
nature  and  laws,  that  thus  we  may  be  deterred 
from  trifling,  presumption,  or  negligence  in  our 
profession,  and  possess  this  grace  of  fear  in  all  its 
friendly  influence.  Our  hope  must  be  continually 
fed  and  excited  by  retrospects  of  the  past,  calling 
to  mind  what  the  Lord  has  already  done  for  our 
soul,  his  patient  forbearance,  his  free  and  willing 
mercy,  his  innumerable  acts  of  delivering,  preserv- 
ing grace,  his  answers  to  prayer,  and  all  his  ways 
of  matchless  goodness,  on  which  we  have  lived  up 
to  this  hour;  hereby  hope  will  make  vigorous 
shoots,  it  will  exhibit  its  lively  character,  it  will  be 
enabled  to  triumph  over  the  despondency  of  na- 
ture, or  the  assaults  of  subtle  foes ;  and  gathering 
confidence  from  God's  past  deeds,  it  will  gratefully 
trust  for,  and  anticipate  blessings  to  come.  Love 
will  receive  its  suitable  nourishment  by  meditations 
such  as  the  believer  delights  to  engage  in.  And 
if  we  are  hving  answerably  to  our  privilege,  we 
shall  cherish  this  blessed  plant,  by  frequenting  in 


BY   VIGILANCE.  163 

spirit  tiiose  scenes  where  Jesus,  our  soul's  beloved, 
displayed  his  love  to  us.  Thus  we  shall  look  to 
the  time  when  as  a  Babe  in  Bethlehem  he  entered 
upon  the  wild  world,  and  came  to  encounter  the 
beasts  of  prey  for  our  sakes.  We  shall  follow 
him  through  his  ministry  of  grace  to  the  miserable, 
go  with  him  to  the  scene  of  agony  in  the  garden, 
follow  him  to  the  dying  hour  on  Calvary,  wait  by 
the  sacred  tomb  and  see  him  slumber  there,  follow 
to  the  heights  of  glory  and  behold  him  reigning 
on  the  throne.  And  with  all  these  objects  before 
the  mind  and  heart  in  their  attractive  force,  we 
shall  endeavour  to  combine  the  heart-conquering 
assurance — All  this  he  did  for  me  !  Love  so 
indulged  and  nurtured  will  give  forth  its  lovely 
fruits,  and  taking  large  possession  of  the  soil 
within,  will  be  demonstrated  as  the  vigorous  work 
of  God.  Peace  will  be  sweetly  cherished  in  con- 
nection with  all  these,  but  we  must  give  it  special 
care,  and  with  a  diligent  eye  look  well  to  its  roots, 
see  that  there  be  no  inconsistency,  clear  it  of  the 
choking  weeds  of  earthliness,  see  that  no  evil 
produce  of  the  soil  such  as  5e//"-dependence  twine 
around  its  roots ;  and  with  prayerful  appropria- 
tion of  the  Lord,  seek  to  preserve  it  a  clean  and 
healthy  plant. 

These  are  scripturally  prescribed  methods  for 
the  culture  of  the  garden,  and  belong  to  that  part 
of  the  responsibility,  to  keep  the  property,  which 
devolves  upon  the  believer.  It  is  very  true,  that 
unless  the  ImvcI  is  our  keeper,  we  watch  in  vain, 


164         KEEPING  OF  THE  HEART. 

and  this  responsibility  is  indeed  his,  equally  as 
ours ;  for  he  has  condescended  to  have  equal 
interest  in  the  property,  and  to  pledge  himself  to 
this  work,  as  we  shall  shew  in  our  next  subject. 
But  on  this  occasion  we  have  to  direct  our  partic- 
ular inquiry  into  our  own  duties,  as  constituted 
by  him  responsible  for  the  keeping  of  the  garden. 
We  will,  therefore,  here  suspend  our  inquiry,  and 
turn  our  thought  upon  the  several  particulars  which 
this  investigation  has  brought  before  us.  Blessed 
is  the  covenant  promise  which  meets  us  in  the 
sacred  record,  engaging  for  faithful  blessings  to 
come  down  upon  us,  "Thou  shalt  be  like  a  watered 
garden,  and  like  springs  of  water  whose  waters  fail 
not."  Is.  Iviii.  11.  "No  lion  shall  be  there,  nor  any 
ravenous  beast  shall  go  up  thereon."  Is.  xxxv.  9. 
These  are  faithful  sayings,  proving  that  on  the  part 
of  our  God,  every  provision  has  been  abundantly 
made  for  our  encouragement.  And  that  unless  we 
move  him  to  displeasure,  and  induce  the  correction 
which  such  enemies  may  inflict,  we  have  nothing 
to  dread,  notwithstanding  we  are  m  the  world  ! 
Our  precious  plants  shall  live  amidst  the  desert's 
howling  blasts,  and  shed  their  fragrancy  around, 
superior  to  every  baneful  weed  that  would  impede 
their  health. 


KEEPING  OF  THE  HEART  BY  COVENANT 
PROTECTION. 

Isaiah  xxvii.  3. 

We  re-enter  the  spiritual  garden  which  we  have 
lately  contemplated,  that  we  may  on  the  present 
occasion  direct  our  further  attention  to  the  sources 
whence  its  safety  stands  secure,  this  being  an 
interest  of  too  much  importance  to  be  left  without 
satisfactory  conclusions  on  which  the  soul  may 
repose.  The  individual  responsibility  of  the 
believer,  to  watch  and  keep  the  sacred  region 
has  been  sufficiently  insisted  upon.  But  experience 
will  demonstrate,  that  unless  there  be  a  more  sure 
defence  than  any  which  can  arise  out  of  our  own 
vigilance,  fear  and  apprehension  must  still  prevail ; 
and  that  in  fact,  "  unless  the  Lord  keep  the  house, 
the  wacthman  waketh  but  in  vain."  We  therefore 
proceed  to  consider,  as  a  point  of  interest  standing 
in  close  connection  with  the  Christian  experience, 
on  what  ground  we  may  rest  assured  that  our 
garden  shall  be  defended  from  the  foe,  and  the 
precious  plants  of  grace  be  nurtured  to  perfection 
in  our  souls. 

That  a  firm  foundation  for  this  confidence  exists 
will  no  doubt  be  credited  by  all  who  profess  to 


166  KEEPING   OF   THE   HEART* 

believe  in  the  omniscience  and  power  of  Almighty 
God ;  and  the  disciples  of  Jesus  will  turn  the 
eye  of  faith  on  him  as  demonstrating  this  infinite 
grace  in  a  covenant  of  love.  But  it  is  requisite 
to  give  him  glory  by  understanding  the  manner 
in  which  this  merciful  regard  is  directed  towards 
the  saints;  and  much  of  our  own  stability  in 
peace  is  involved  in  so  doing.  We  are  not  kept 
by  a  mere  act  of  power,  or  mercy,  or  even 
of  love  considered  abstractedly  from  the  relation 
we  bear  to  Christ.  It  is  as  property  possessed 
by  him  that  we  are  the  subjects  of  such  perpetual 
preservation,  a  consideration  which  places  our 
safety  on  very  peculiar  ground.  In  this  light  we 
behold  the  Lord  Jesus  as  having  a  responsibility, 
and  as  individually  interested  to  discharge  it 
faithfully  ;  his  own  possession  and  honour  being 
concerned  in  the  safety,  beauty,  and  fruitfulness 
of  his  chosen  heritage.  Thus  whilst  we  as  be- 
lievers, are  exhorted  to  glorify  him  by  corres- 
pondent devotion  to  his  name,  he  also  is  pledged 
to  glorify  himself  by  accomplishing  in  us  all  those 
fruits  which  are  by  him  to  the  praise  of  the 
eternal  Name.  And  thus  we  read,  in  John  xvii. 
23,  an  acknowledgment  of  the  responsibility,  and 
a  holy  sense  of  faithfulness  therein,  "  Those  whom 
thou  hast  given  me,  I  have  kept,  and  none  of 
them  is  lost."  We  are  consequently  to  consider 
that  Christ  Jesus  stands  interested  in  the  work 
of  keeping  his  saints,  hereby  designing  to  give 
proof   of  his  Messiahship,    of   his    victory   over 


BY  COVENANT  PROTECTION.        167 

Satan,  and  of  his  truth  in  the  privileges  which  he 
has  engaged  to  bestow  on  his  people.  See  John 
xii.  30,  31.     Jude  20.     2.  Thess.  iii.  3. 

We  have  likewise  express  and  solemn  promises 
which  the  Lord  has  voluntarily  and  abundantly 
given  for  the  consolation  of  his  people  in  this 
respect.  None  can  be  more  comprehensive  than 
that  which  we  find  in  Isaiah  xxvii.  3 :  "I  the 
Lord  do  keep  it ;  I  will  water  it  every  moment ; 
lest  any  hurt  it,  I  will  keep  it  night  and  day." 
Parallel  with  which,  we  read  in  Jer.  xxxi.  12 : 
"  Their  soul  shall  be  as  a  watered  garden,  and 
they  shall  not  sorrow  any  more  at  all."  And  in 
Cant.  iv.  12.  the  privilege  is  again  before  us  under 
the  figure  of  a  garden  enclosed,  and  a  spring  shut 
up,  and  a  fountain  sealed  :  this  is  (according  to 
the  well  known  custom  in  countries  where  springs 
of  water  are  amongst  the  rarest  and  most  precious 
possessions  afforded  to  man)  an  interesing  allusion 
to  royal  prerogative  which  was  used  to  shut  up, 
seal,  and  secure  fountains,  &c.  for  royal  ser- 
vice. Thus  Christ's  beloved  one  is  as  a  garden 
well  supplied,  and  her  springs  and  fructifying 
waters  are  beyond  the  reach  of  any  exhausting 
power.  There  is  a  promise  in  Rev.  iii.  10,  which 
gives  equal  assurance  of  divine  protection — "  Be- 
cause thou  hast  kept  the  word  of  my  patience,  I 
also  will  keep  thee  from  the  hour  of  temptation." 
And  again,  "  They  shall  not  hunger  nor  thirst, 
neither  shall  the  heat  nor  sun  smite  them." 
Isaiah  xlix.  10;    agreeable   to  the   blessed  testi- 


168  KEEPING    OF    THE    HEART 

mony  so  exhilarating  to  the  saints,  *'  He  will  not 
suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved :  he  that  keepeth  thee 
will  not  slumber  nor  sleep.  The  I^ord  is  thy 
keeper."  Psalm  exxi.  3 — 5.  These  ar^  engage- 
ments which  lay  a  solid  foundation  in  Christ  Jesus 
for  the  expectation  of  faith,  and  on  which  that 
blessed  engagement  is  everlastingly  established, 
"  No  weapon  that  is  formed  against  thee  shall 
prosper,  and  every  tongue  that  shall  rise  against 
thee  in  judgment,  thou  shalt  condemn  ;  this  is  the 
heritage  of  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  and  their 
righteousness  is  of  me,  saith  the  Lord."  Isaiah 
liv.  17. 

We  will  now  inquire  into  the  manner  in  which 
the  Lord  discharges  his  responsibility,  as  put  in 
connection  with  the  view  we  have  already  taken  of 
the  circumstances  of  the  Lord's  people,  or  of  his 
favoured  garden.  Let  us  call  to  mind  what 
has  been  shewn  of  the  nature  of  the  world  in  the 
midst  of  which  this  hallowed  spot  is  placed ;  let 
us  bear  in  our  recollection  that  it  is  represented 
as  a  waste  wilderness,  and  as  inhabited  by  wild 
beasts  of  prey  ;  and  that  the  different  descriptions 
of  human  and  diabolical  enmity  against  the  saints 
are  said  to  correspond  with  the  various  propen- 
sities of  the  savage  tribe.  This  will  remind  us 
of  the  nature  of  our  danger  as  exposed  to  such 
assailants,  and  will  open  the  way  for  contemplating 
the  grace  of  the  covenant  in  providing  a  Keeper, 
who  will  suitably  address  his  defence  to  the  par- 
ticular evil  which  may  call  for  his  interposition, 


BY  COVENANT  PROTECTION.        169 

The  wild  boar  out  of  the  forest  seeking  to  lay 
waste  or  root  up  the  vine,  Psalm  Ixxx.  13,  repre- 
senting the  fury  of  the  persecutor,  shall  meet  a 
mighty  and  invincible  opposer  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  As  it  respects  the  literal  Israel,  we  have 
the  direct  promise  of  the  covenant,  that  Jehovah 
will  cause  them  that  come  of  Jacob  to  take  root. 
Israel  shall  blossom  and  bud,  and  fill  the  face  of 
the  world  with  fruit ;  and  the  vine  now  desolated 
by  furious  oppressors,  who  are  accomplishing  the 
Lord's  righteous  judgments  upon  the  people,  will 
ere  long  stretch  out  her  luxuriant  branches  and  bear 
the  wholesome  fruit.     Isaiah,  xxvii.  6. 

In  the  Christian  church  the  omnipotent  defence 
of  the  Lord  has  been  ever  displayed  ;  although 
trials  and  desolating  oppressions  have  arisen 
against  her,  she  lives  to  the  praise  of  her  heavenly 
keeper !  The  fury  of  the  persecutor  has  served 
to  enlarge  her  borders,  the  stormy  wind  and  tem- 
pest has  but  scattered  the  seed,  the  precious 
plants  have  thus  been  increased, — taking  root  in 
lands  where  they  have  become  nurturing  means 
of  advancing  the  cause;  and  in  this  respect. the 
testimony  of  old  has  been  again  fulfilled,  "  the 
more  they  oppressed  them,  the  more  they  multi- 
plied and  grew."  This  is  equally  true  of  every 
individual  believer.  These  private  gardens  of  the 
liOrd  are  the  objects  of  his  complacent  regard  ; 
and  he  who  has  introduced  the  supernatural  plants 
therein  will  assuredly  preserve  them.  Our  own 
experience  may  be  appealed  to  in  confirmation 
16 


170  KEEPING    OF    THE    HEART 

of  this.  Let  us  look  to  the  days  of  persecution  we 
have  suffered :  let  us  examine  the  effects  produced 
by  calumny,  scorn,  resistance,  &c.  and  say  if  they 
have  not  been  salutary,  tending  to  confound  the 
enemy,  and  to  satisfy  us  that  no  wild  beast  shall 
be  permitted  to  do  us  Imrin.  The  secret  purposes 
of  our  Lord  shall  he  accomplished  even  through 
the  fierceness  of  man  ;  and  the  blessed  dispo- 
sitions of  heavenly  mindedness,  simplicity,  and 
faith,  be  strengthened  within  us  by  the  means  of 
persecution.  This  is  evident  from  history,  expe- 
rience, and  the  divine  record.  Psalm  cxj.  4 — 7  ; 
xii.  4 — 7. 

The  ravening  wolf,  representative  of  the  false 
teachers  who  came  in  sheep's  clothing,  shall  meet 
the  same  overthrow.  Never  let  us  forget  the 
blessed  testimony  which  our  Lord  has  given 
respecting  this  evil,  that  although  they  shall  come 
in  subtlety,  so  that  wei'e  it  possible,  they  would 
deceive  the  very  elect,  they  shall  never  prevail ; 
Mat,  xxiv.  23 — 26.  Never  let  us  lose  sight  of 
the  truth  that  even  these  attempts  are  in  the 
overruling  hand  of  the  Lord ;  and  that,  so  far 
from  proving  injurious  to  the  garden,  they  shall 
promote  its  health.  Is  it  not  written,  "  It  must 
needs  be  that  heresies  come,  that  they  which  are 
approved  may  be  made  manifest,"  1  Cor.  xi.  19. 
Is  not  this  sufficient  to  assure  us  of  benefit 
through  the  subtle  attempts  of  the  heresiarch  % 
and  will  not  our  own  judgment  confirm  our  ex- 
pectations?    What    has    given    occasion  for  the 


BV  COVENANT  PROTECTION.        171 

many  powerful  statements  of  truth  ?  what  has 
called  out  the  many  able  contenders  for  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints  ?  and  to  what  are  we 
indebted  for  many  of  our  own  clear  and  established 
perceptions  into  truth  ?  Have  not  the  efforts  of 
false  teachers,  the  introduction  of  false  tenets,  and 
the  apparent  exposure  of  the  church,  been  made 
instrumental  to  these  blessings  ?  Yes,  assuredly, 
in  this  sense  we  owe  them  much.  But  our  debt 
is  due  to  him,  who  by  his  faithfulness  and  wisdom 
thus  preserves  his  heritage,  and,  in  his  mighty 
operation  upon  their  souls,  makes  them  to  "  try 
the  spirits,  whether  they  are  of  God,"  1  John  iv. 
1 ;  and  commends  them  for  so  doing,  "  Thou  hast 
tried  them  which  say  they  are  apostles,  and  are 
not,  and  hast  found  them  liars."  Rev.  ii.  2. 

The  crafty  fox  shall  not  prevail :  even  those 
more  unobserved  evils  which,  on  account  of  their 
apparent  harmlessness,  are  less  suspected  or 
feared,  shall  be  disclosed  and  detected,  so  as  to 
awaken  the  soul  to  its  true  life  and  demonstrate 
Jesus'  care.  This  is  effected  by  that  blessed  gift 
from  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  we  may  in  this  sub- 
ordinate sense  distinguish  by  "  Discerning  of 
spirits,"  possessed  by  the  apostle  in  its  highest 
intention,  but  perpetuated  to  the  church  in  her 
members  so  far  as  belongs  to  spiritual  apprehen- 
sion of  what  is  truth.  We  may  call  it  an  instinct- 
ive perception ;  for  we  discover  it  in  instances 
where  there  is  little  ability  to  argue,  little  mental 
energy  by  which  to  detect  what  is  false,  and  little 


172  KEEPING    OF    THE    HEART 

capacity  to  discriminate  by  orderly  discussion. 
It  answers  to  what  our  Lord  declares  of  his  sheep, 
"  they  know  not  the  voice  of  a  stranger ;  a 
stranger  they  will  not  follow."  John  x.  5.  An 
unction  from  the  Holy  One  rests  upon  them  ;  they 
experimentally  know  him  that  is  true,  and  they 
are  in  him  that  is  true  ;  hence  they  possess  a  cer- 
tain spiritual  appetite,  by  which  they  feed  on 
wholesome  food  as  j^f^^aiable,  but  instinctively  turn 
from  and  reject  what  is  spurious.  1  John  ii.  18 — 20  ; 
V.  20. 

These  are  accompaniments  of  Jesus'  watchful 
discharge  of  his  own  responsibility,  and  he  will 
in  this  character  and  office  to  his  church,  preserve 
all  her  members,  defend  all  his  own  property,  repel 
every  beast  of  prey,  and  break  the  teeth  of  the 
young  lions.     Psalm  Iviii.  6.  Rom.  xvi.  20. 

That  Christ  is  equally  engaged  by  relation  and 
promise  to  protect  his  garden  from  every  noxious 
weed,  and  to  promote  the  plants  of  grace  by  every 
act  of  fostering  care  or  discipline,  is  a  covenant 
truth  established  on  the  same  ground.  His  pur- 
pose is  to  extend  his  interposing  presence  to  every 
necessity.  It  is  not  against  this  or  that  particular 
enemy  that  he  promises  to  defend ;  but  "  lest 
any  hurt  it,"  I  will  keep  it  7iigJit  and  day.''^ 
Therefore  we  are  enlivened  by  the  assurance, 
that  none  of  those  evils  which  spring  up  from  the 
soil,  or  belong  more  peculiarly  to  the  interior  of 
the  garden,  shall  be  allowed  to  prevail.  For  this 
end  he  adopts  the  means  of  discipHne,  for  it  is 


BY    COVENANT    PROTECTION.  173 

thus  that  weeds  are  killed,  or  checked  in  their 
growth.  Thus  he  makes  use  of  the  experience 
which  we  obtain  in  conflict  for  the  purpose  of 
deUvering  us  from  the  native  tendency  to  indo- 
lence, presumption  and  independence ;  and,  by 
disappointments  and  mortifications  in  the  crea- 
ture, directs  an  antidote  to  those  earthly  affec- 
tions, which  are  like  the  weeds  that  entwine 
around,  and  injure  the  precious  flowers  which 
adorn  our  garden.  How  powerfully  has  our 
heavenly  keeper  shewn  us  this  his  method  of 
grace  towards  those  whom  he  is  preparing  for 
glory.  Have  we  not  experienced  the  operation 
and  found  the  need  and  the  efiicacy  of  such  dis- 
cipline ?  After  some  progress  in  the  heavenly 
life,  we  usually  become  acquainted  with  the  ne- 
cessity that  exists  for  vigour  and  abasement^ 
through  the  various  and  painful  ways  which 
develope  the  strength  of  indwelling  sin,  and  which 
cause  us  to  feel  and  bewail  our  utter  impotency. 
And  who  amongst  us  does  not  know  that  in  order 
to  cure  us  of  creaturely  affections  and  adherence 
to  earth,  there  is  found  a  positive  need  of  the  most 
painful  experience  of  human  instability  and  in- 
sufficiency ?  These  exercises,  however,  would 
not  minister  death  to  the  weeds,  neither  would 
they  produce  any  benefit  to  the  plants,  were  not 
the  divine  power  of  the  Lord  in  the  midst  of  the 
conflict,  and  his  covenant  design  to  bless  directed 
to  this  end.  He  therefore  is  the  keeper,  and  by 
him  the  soul  is  cleansed,  and  the  plants  preserved. 
16* 


174  KEEPING    OF    THE    HEART 

There  is  likewise  a  requisite  attention  to  be  given 
to  the  plants  themselves.  These,  however  pure 
and  perfect  in  the  seed  or  principle,  are  not  so  in 
devehpeinent,  but  as  they  progressively  advance  to 
their  state  of  maturity.  There  is  a  need  to  train, 
to  prune,  and  to  minister  to  them  as  our  Lord  de- 
clares, "  Every  branch  in  me  that  beareth  fruit 
he  purgeth  that  it  may  bring  forth  more  fruit." 
John  XV.  2.  It  is  the  part  of  the  heavenly  Planter 
thus  to  advance  the  health  of  his  trees,  and  to 
pour  forth  invigorating  operations  upon  faith, 
and  fear,  and  hope, ,  and  love,  and  peace,  and 
every  grace.  This  is  expressed  in  the  scriptures 
by  the  language  of  the  saints,  who,  as  taught  of 
God,  utter  their  fervent  dependence  upon  the 
Saviour  for  the  advancement  of  their  sacred  life. 
Thus  it  is  the  ardent  desire  of  the  disciples, 
"Lord,  increase  our  faith!"  It  is  the  supplication 
of  the  Psalmist,  "  Keep  back  thy  servant  from  pre- 
sumptuous sins."  The  confidence  of  the  believer 
is,  that  his  hope  is  made  to  abound  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  that  for  his  love  he  has  an  inexhaustible 
source,  since  all  his  fresh  springs  are  in  the  Lord, 
and  that  it  is  He  who  will  keep  the  soul  in  perfect 
peace  when  it  is  staid  upon  him  !  Thus  the  inward 
work  of  grace  corres})onds  in  its  expression  with 
the  relation  Christ  bears  to  his  people,  and  gives  a 
further  attestation  of  the  blessed  truth  that  he  is 
our  keeper. 

The  garden  of  the  Lord  must  also  be  visited 
with  such  supplies  as  answer  to  the  need  of  herb- 


BY  COVENANT  PROTECTION.        175 

age,  flowers,  and  fruits.  These  we  know  must 
receive  showers  and  dews,  winds  and  zephyrs, 
light  and  sun-beams  and  shade  ;  since  to  this  com- 
bination they  owe  their  colour,  fragrancy,  fresh- 
ness, and  all  the  variety  of  loveliness  which 
renders  them  an  ornament  to  the  earth,  and  a 
blessing  to  man.  Just  thus  it  must  be  within  the 
spiritual  garden  we  now  contemplate.  And  behold 
the  plenteous  supply — "  He  shall  come  down  like 
showers  upon  the  mown  grass."  Psalm  Ixxii.  6. 
"  I  will  be  as  the  dew  unto  Israel."  Hos.  xiv.  5. 
"  I  will  pour  water  upon  him  that  is  thirsty,  and 
floods  upon  the  dry  ground."  Isa.  xliv.  3.  "It 
shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water  springing  up  to 
everlasting  life."  John  iv.  14.  "  Awake,  O  north 
wind,  and  blow  thou  south  upon  my  garden,  that 
the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out."  "  I  am  come 
into  my  garden."  Can.  iv.  16.  v.  I.  "I  am  come 
a  light  into  the  world."  John  xii.  46.  He  shall 
rise  "  the  Sun  of  Righteousness."  Mai.  iv.  3. 
"  I  will  create  upon  every  dwelling  place  of 
Mount  Zion  and  upon  her  assemblies  a  cloud. 
There  shall  be  a  tabernacle  for  a  shadow  in  the 
day  time  from  the  heat."  Isa.  iv.  5,  6.  Agreeing 
with  the  exulting  testimony,  "  The  Lord  is  thy 
shade  upon  thy  right  hand  :  the  sun  shall  not  smite 
thee  by  day,  nor  the  moon  by  night.  The  Lord 
shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil,  he  shall  preserve 
thy  soul."  Psalm  cxxi.  5 — 7. 

These  are  the  results  of  that  covenant  keeping 
which    belongs    to    the    Lord's    inheritance,    his 


176  KEEPING    OF    THE    HEART 

garden,  his  property  !  On  this  blissful  privilege  our 
faith  should  vigorously  lay  hold,  believing  that  it 
shall  be  ours  in  Christ  Jesus.  The  dispensation 
is  extended  to  us  variously ;  sometimes  imme- 
diately from  himself  by  visits  that  gladden  and 
assure  the  soul,  and  at  other  times,  through  the 
instituted  means  by  which  he  promises  refresh- 
ment to  his  people.  One  visit  from  Jesus  set 
home  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  the  affections  of  the 
heart  contains  in  it  every  part  of  the  blissful  pro- 
visions, for  he  is  in  himself  the  rain,  the  dew,  «Sz;c. 
and  where  he  dwells  in  manifestation  of  the  soul, 
there  will  be  bloom  and  beauty  within.  But  in 
the  means  of  grace  we  find  the  sure  i^efreshment 
also,  according  to  the  promise,  for  it  is  Jesus^ 
word,  which  comes  down  like  the  rain.  Isa.  Iv.  10. 
It  is  his  doctrine  that  distils  like  the  dew.  Deut. 
xxxii.  2.  And  although  Paul  may  plant  and  Apol- 
los  may  water,  it  is  God  that  giveth  the  increase. 
1  Cor.  iii.  6. 

Our  part  should  be  to  seek  the  blessed  union 
of  all  the  privileged  states  of  the  believer,  which 
has  been  the  subject  of  investigation  in  the  last 
few  portions,  that  we  may  by  the  Spirit's  wit- 
ness find  ourselves  numbered  with  gardens  of  the 
Lord,  and  as  such,  beautified  by  the  rich  variety 
of  supernatural  productions,  which  adorn  these 
his  dwelling  places ; — that  as  conscious  of  our 
responsibility,  we  keep  the  garden  watching  there- 
unto with  all  perseverance  ;  and  that  as  sensible 
of   our  own  insufficiency,  we  look  with   simple 


BY  COVENANT  PROTECTION.        177 

affiance  to  him  who  is  the  omnipotent  and  faithful 
defence  of  his  own  work.  In  this  spirit  we  should 
be  enabled  to  apprehend  the  divine  word  as  our 
own,  and  know  ourselves  to  be  interested  in  its 
testimony,  "  Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in 
the  Lord."  "  He  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted  by 
the  rivers  of  water,  that  bringeth  forth  his  fruit  in 
his  season,  his  leaf  also  shall  not  wither."  Psalm 
i.  3.  And  with  responsive  praise  we  shall  speak 
his  glory ;  and  notwithstanding  that  we  are 
encompassed  by  enemies,  our  boast  shall  be, 
"  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  who  teacheth  my  hands  to 
war  and  my  fingers  to  fight."  Psalm  cxliv.  4. 
Enemies  shall  fall  backward  from  our  souls,  as 
confounded  by  our  Lord.  And  beauteous  plants 
shall  thrive  and  decorate  our  souls  as  habitations 
for  our  God. 


THE  REST  OF  THE  HEART  IN  AN 
ALL  SUFFICIENT  LORD. 

Canticles  i.  12 — 14. 

In  connexion  with  that  favoured  experience  of 
the  believer,  to  which  we  have  been  conducted  in 
our  late  course  of  subjects,  there  stands  a  point  of 
great  and  interesting  moment  which  it  is  our  part 
to  consider,  as  intimately  belonging  to  a  ripening 
and  matured  degree  of  faith.  We  have  seen 
how  by  a  conscious  union  with  Christ,  the  soul  is 
introduced  into  a  state  of  visible  beauty,  compar- 
able to  a  lovely  and  well-cultivated  garden  ;  and 
that  the  precious  productions  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
are  not  only  the  subjects  of  faithful  vigilance  on 
the  part  of  a  Christian,  but  of  divine  preserva- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  Saviour.  But  high  and 
excellent  as  is  this  blessed  condition,  it  does  not 
ensure  the  positive  possession  of  a  state  of  con- 
scious bliss:  and  as  it  is  the  privilege  of  the 
believer  to  enter  fully  into  what  we  may  style 
blissful  enjoyment  in  the  Lord,  we  should  direct 
our  attention  to  this  part  of  experience. 

Reflection  will  convince  us  that  spiritual  enjoy- 
ment does  not  consist  merely  of  spiritual  increase. 
There  may  be  visibly  to  the  eye  of  beholders,  a 
beautiful   consistency  of   character   exhibited    by 


THE   REST   OF   THE   HEART.  179 

the  Christian,  whilst  the  individual's  soul  is  far 
from  being  in  a  joyous  state.  We  have  many 
examples  recorded  in  the  scriptures  of  eminent 
saints,  who,  notwithstanding  their  holy  and  suffer- 
ing course  in  following  the  Lord,  have  uttered 
the  language  of  complaint,  mourning,  and  woe  1 
Similar  instances  occur  under  our  immediate 
observation,  serving  to  convince  us,  that  even 
where  there  is  no  apparent  provocation  or  incon- 
sistency in  the  life,  there  is  the  absence  of  high  or 
habitual  rejoicing.  Neither  does  this  arise  from 
any  secret  inconsistency.  The  believer  may 
possess  the  clearest  witness  in  himself  of  an 
upright  mind  ;  he  is  unconscious  of  any  allowed 
provocation ;  whatever  he  discovers  to  be  dis- 
pleasing to  his  Lord,  he  promptly  resists ;  and  in 
whatever  instance  he  perceives  a  requirement  in 
which  God's  mind  is  to  be  fulfilled,  he  immedi- 
ately presses  towards  the  mark.  If  he  seems  to 
say,  make  a  sacrifice  ;  the  sacrifice  is  made.  If 
He  say,  embrace  a  responsibility ;  the  responsi- 
bility is  embraced.  Nevertheless,  he  is  not  in  a 
state  of  exhilaration  :  his  bosom  does  not  glow 
with  conscious  delight.  This  is  not,  in  the  case 
we  are  contemplating,  the  result  of  distrust.  He 
has  just  views  of  the  divine  nature,  and  knows 
that  everlasting  faithfulness  will  be  glorified  in 
preserving  the  work  of  its  own  grace.  He  can- 
not hesitate  as  to  his  own  participation  of  the 
Spirits  grace,  for  affections  such  as  live  in  his 
breast  could  be  produced  by  none  but  the  Lord, 


180         THE  REST  OP  THE  HEART 

He  therefore  believes  that  he  shall  never  perish, 
and  is  able  to  exercise  a  quiet,  calm,  and  pure 
affiance  upon  the  covenant  love  of  the  Lord. 
Yet  he  is  not  joyful.  A  certain  mournfulness, 
sometimes  bordering  upon  sadness,  pervades  his 
soul.  And  although  he  believes,  he  cannot  rise  to 
the  high  sounds  of  spiritual  exultation,  nor  tune 
his  harp  to  tones  of  rapture  and  delight.  Our 
own  experience  will  probably  confirm  this  state- 
ment, and  demonstrate  that  the  possession  of 
positive  enjoyment  is  a  privilege  distinct  from  the 
possession  of  consistency,  or  even  of  affiance 
itself  What  then  is  it  which  is  necessary  for  the 
degree  of  enjoyment  which  we  have  declared  to 
be  a  privilege  properly  belonging  to  the  life 
of  faith  ?  It  is  not  a  sense  of  union,  for  this  is 
not  doubted.  It  is  not  a  persuasion  of  the  Lord's 
faithfulness,  this  is  not  questioned.  It  is  not  an 
assurance  of  being  preserved  unto  the  end,  this  is 
sure,  as  a  necessary  consequence  of  being  one 
with  Christ.  It  is  not  a  witness  of  integrity,  which 
even  in  the  midst  of  conscious  unworthiness,  is 
undeniably  wrought  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  Have 
we  never  observed  in  respect  of  the  natural 
figures  which  are  assumed  to  represent  the  ad- 
vanced believer,  that  there  is  a  necessity  of 
having  glowing  sun-beams  upon  the  garden?  In 
order  to  give  an  exhilarating  influence  upon 
our  spirits,  we  require  the  cheering  ray.  Just  so 
is  the  state  of  the  inner  man,  and  by  this  figure 
we  may  understand  what  is  needed.     Graces,  and 


IN    AN    ALL-SUFFICIENT    LORD.  181 

sweet  experience  may  abound  within  us,  and  yield 
a  proportion  of  precious  rest,  yet  there  is  some- 
thing more  than  these  requisite  :  and  the  truth  is, 
that  direct  and  Hvely  manifestations  of  the  pres- 
ence of  Jesus  must  be  possessed,  if  we  have  high 
enjoyment.  The  language  of  the  heart  is — Let  me 
hear  thy  voice — let  me  see  thy  smile :  bound  not 
my  pleasures  by  mere  evidence,  that  thou  hast  been, 
art,  or  will  be  in  the  abode,  but  give  me  immediate 
jnanifestation  of  thyself. 

It  may  be  interesting  and  instructive  to  examine 
the  manner  in  which  the  desire  is  gratified ;  and 
as  it  involves  much  of  the  responsibility  which 
rests  upon  the  believer  himself,  it  becomes  a 
subject  of  increased  importance.  In  order  to 
preserve  a  close  connection  between  this  and  the 
last  subject,  we  may  prosecute  an  inquiry  through 
the  same  figures  as  have  been  so  prominently 
before  us ;  and  as  we  have  contemplated  the 
believer's  soul  under  the  emblem  of  a  garden 
stored  with  precious  plants,  continue  our  inspection 
of  this  favoured  spot,  with  the  purpose  of  inquiry, 
whether  the  beauties  we  have  there  discovered, 
are  the  only  or  the  chief  ornaments  of  the 
spot.  An  acquaintance  with  the  Bible  will 
immediately  show  us,  that  precious  as  are  the 
fruits  of  the  new  creation,  there  is  an  excellency 
which  exceeds  in  glory,  even  a  human  holiness 
possessed  by  Christ  Jesus,  which,  as  it  never 
experienced  the  marring  power  of  sin,  so  it  never 
required  the  new  creating  grace  of  the  Spirit. 
17 


182         THE  REST  OF  THE  HEART 

This  holy  one  is  presented  before  us  in  the  scrip- 
tures, under  s&veral  figures  borrowed  from  nature. 
Thus  in  John  xv.  1.  it  is  written,  "  I  am  the  true 
vine ;" — in  Hos.  xiv.  8 :  "  I  am  like  a  green  fir 
tree  ;" — in  Cant.  ii.  3 :  "As  the  apple  tree  among 
the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is  my  beloved  among  the 
sons  ;" — in  Cant.  ii.  1 :  "I  am  the  rose  of  Sharon, 
and  the  lily  of  the  vallies ;" — and  in  Rev.  xxii.  2. 
"  In  the  midst  of  the  spiritual  city,  was  there  the 
tree  of  life."  These  are  figures  by  which  the 
Holy  Spirit  represents  that  intimate  association 
which  subsists  between  Christ  and  his  people,  and 
the  nature  of  those  communications  from  him  to 
the  soul,  by  which  the  highest  delights  may  be 
secured. 

In  the  first  place,  the  grace  of  Jesus  as  conde- 
scending to  this  association  is  to  be  considered, 
for  in  him  we  possess  a  precious  plant,  brought  as 
it  were  from  the  highest  region,  an  exotic,  to  grow 
in  our  earth  as  a  peculiar  production,  with  which 
no  native  of  the  soil  can  compare.  Very  man  as 
he  did  become  for  us,  he  never  lost  that  peculiarity 
which  is  ascribed  to  him  as  "  holy,  harmless, 
undefiled,  and  separate  from  sinners:"  yet  in  this 
character  he  condescended  to  grow  up  before  the 
Father  as  a  tender  plant.  Isa.  liii.  2 ;  and  in 
respect  of  his  lineal  descent  from  David,  said  to 
come  forth  as  a  branch  from  the  root.  Isa.  xi.  1. 
He  did  so,  that  he  might  communicate  the  un- 
speakable blessings  of  salvation,  and  so  assume 
our  nature  as  to  establish  a  lasting  union  between 


IN    AN    ALL-SUFFICIENT    LORD.  183 

God  and  man ;  not  only  as  existing  in  his  own 
Person  as  the  Christ,  but  as  bestowed  upon  the 
redeemed  in  a  mystical  union  with  himself.  Thus 
it  is  written,  "  Forasmuch  as  the  children  were 
partakers  of  flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself  like- 
wise took  part  of  the  same."  Heb.  ii.  14.  "  The 
word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us,  full 
of  grace  and  truth ;"  and  "  of  his  fulness  have  we 
received,  and  grace  for  grace."  So  that  by  this 
unspeakable  condescension  we,  who  were  ignorant 
of  God,  have  him  declared  unto  us ;  and  we,  who 
were  alienated  from  God,  are  reinstated  in  loving 
participation  of  him:  see  John  i.  14. — 16,  18.  2 
Peter  i.  4. 

It  is  in  this  sense  that  we  are  privileged  to 
realize  the  peculiar  blessings  before  us,  even  the 
intimate  and  close  association  of  our  soul  with 
him ;  and  that  whilst  looking  to  our  own  bosom 
as  the  garden  of  the  Lord,  we  behold  not  only  the 
plants  which  describe  our  own  state  of  grace,  but 
that  plant  of  renown,  in  whose  singular  beauties 
and  fragrancy,  we  see  what  surpasseth  even  the 
fairest  conditions  of  the  sons  of  men :  for  "  he  is 
the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether 
lovely  !" 

But  Jesus  is  not  only  a  plant :  he  is  described 
by  plants  most  serviceable  and  precious  as  we 
have  seen.  And  in  order  to  delight  and  instruct 
our  own  souls,  we  should  turn  a  minute  and  par- 
ticular attention  to  the  appellations  which  are  given 
him. 


184         THE  KEST  OF  THE  HEART 

Considered  as  a  Vine,  we  receive  him  in  the 
character  of  a  fruit-bearing  tree,  producing  all 
those  benefits  which  secure  the  great  salvation. 
In  the  tender  and  dependent  nature  of  this  plant, 
we  have  an  aftecting  emblem  of  Jesus'  humilia- 
tion, and  of  his  voluntary  dependance  upon  the 
Father,  as  having  made  himself  man.  But  in  the 
richly  clustering  grapes  we  have  a  shadow  of 
those  peculiar  excellences  which  were  displayed  in 
his  obedient  life,  and  which  were  offered  to  the 
Father  as  acceptable  works.  The  pleasure  of  the 
Lord  prospered  in  his  hand :  and  in  him  as  the 
anointed  One  he  was  always  well  pleased.  Isaiah 
liii.  10.  Matt.  iii.  17.  Let  us  remember,  how- 
ever, that  Messiah  descended  and  dwelt  with 
men,  and  obeyed  and  honoured  the  Father  in  a 
relative  character  and  office  for  man  ;  and  that 
this  was  done  not  merely  to  produce  an  accept- 
able righleousness  for  the  sinner,  but  that  the 
vine  and  its  clusters  should  be  gathered,  and  cast 
into  the  wine-press.  Very  affecting  is  the  divine 
testimony  on  this  part  of  Jesus'  grace.  As 
believers,  we  know  that  transgression  called  for 
judgment,  and  that  judgment  must  necessarily 
receive  its  commission  from  a  holy  and  true  God  : 
that  escape  there  can  be  none,  save  only  as  the 
sentence  is  inflicted  on  him  who  came  to  be  the 
sinner's  friend,  and  to  glorify  the  Father.  Hence 
we  are  led  to  the  view  of  our  blessed  Lord  as 
yielding  himself  up  to  be  gathered  by  the  hand  of 
judgment,  and  as  bruised  under  the  weight  of  our 


IN    AN    ALl^SUFFICIENT    LORD.  185 

imputed  guilt.  Thus  it  is  written,  "  It  pleased 
the  Lord  to  bruise  him  ;"  and  again,  "  He  was 
bruised  for  our  iniquities."  Isaiah  liii.  10,  5.  It 
is  by  this  offering  of  himself  that  Jesus  has  opened 
a  fountain  for  sin  and  uncleanness.  It  stands  as 
it  were  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  perpetually 
supplied  by  the  bruised  vine,  and  composed  of  a 
wondrous  and  efficacious  remedy  for  every  woe  : 
for  this  is  He  who  came  by  water  and  by  blood. 
1  John.  V.  6.  Not  only  was  he  consecrated  in  his 
own  person  by  the  anointing  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  the  shedding  forth  of  his  blood,  but  he  has 
established  an  abiding  antidote  to  sin  in  all  his 
blood- bought  people,  through  the  efficacy  of  the 
sanctifying  Spirit,  and  the  washing  of  his  own 
atoning  blood.  Neither  are  these  the  only  bless- 
ings flowing  to  us  through  the  living  vine  :  from  his 
bruised  clusters,  a  cordial  wine  is  produced,  not 
only  availing  to  heal  the  wounds  which  sin  has 
made,  but  to  cheer  the  desponding,  to  sustain  the 
exhausted,  and  to  animate  the  believing !  This 
was  a  benefit  shadowed  forth  in  the  sacrifices 
of  the  law  over  which  wine  was  poured  forth,  and 
referred  to  in  Judges  ix.  13.  where  wine  is  said  to 
make  glad  the  heart  of  God  and  man.  God- 
rejoiceth  in  the  joy  of  his  people  :  and  saints,  when 
appropriating  redeeming  love,  are  declared  to 
rejoice  and  make  a  noise  as  through  wine.  Zech. 
ix.  15,  17.  Isaiah  xxv.  6. 

But  he  stands  in  the  garden  as  the  overshadow- 
ing apple-tree,  spreading  its   boughs   abroad,  and; 
L7* 


186       THE  REST  OF  THE  HEART 

exhibiting  the  refreshing  fruit  which  is  to  comfort 
and  refresh  the  weary.  Under  this  shade  the  soul 
is  invited  to  sit  down,  and  from  these  branches 
it  is  privileged  to  pluck  and  eat.  Here  the  rich 
grace  of  Jesus  is  unfolded,  and  pardon,  justifi- 
cation, peace,  and  every  other  fruit  of  redemp- 
tion, are  freely  proffered.  Let  us  observe  the 
excellent  quality  of  this  fruit,  and  understand  its 
healing  virtues.  The  covenant  blessing  is  this, 
"  I  will  forgive  their  iniquity,  and  remember  their 
sins  no  more."  Jer.  xxxi.  34.  "  There  is  therefore 
no  condemnation  to  them  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus." 
Rom.  viii.  1.  "  My  peace  I  give  unto  you."  John 
xvi.  33. 

Let  us  continue  our  contemplation  of  the  charac- 
ter of  our  Lord,  and  behold  him  as  the  lily  or  the 
rose.  In  natural  productions  we  know  that  there 
are  none  more  lovely  or  fragrant  than  these,  and 
that  we  cultivate  them  as  among  chief  ornaments 
to  our  grounds.  But  who  can  sufficiently  express 
the  loveliness  or  fragrance  of  him  whom  the  Holy 
Ghost  thus  sets  forth.  In  his  innocency,  modesty, 
and  humility,  he  sheds  a  perfume  in  the  region 
where  he  grows  :  and  in  his  glowing  character  of 
love,  as  mingling  himself  amongst  the  various 
plants  of  which  our  hearts  are  by  grace  made 
productive,  he  gives  an  unspeakable  beauty,  and 
forms  the  most  attractive  object.  And  this  is  not 
all ;  for,  like  the  rose,  he  perpetuates  his  sweet- 
ness :  and  as  the  leaves  of  the  flower  are  gathered 
to  perfume  our  houses  or  our  dress,  so  he  as  a  rose 


IN    AN    ALL-SUFFICIENT    LORD.  187 

that  has  been  gathered  gives  forth  a  precious  fra- 
grancy  which  serves  to  impregnate  the  Christian 
life  with  its  sweetness.  What  is  so  sweet  as  a 
crucified  Lord?  In  this  offering  he  was  a  sweet 
savour  unto  God  :  and  as  thus  exhibited  to  faitli,  he 
is  the  dearest  possession  of  the  heart.  Eph.  v.  2. 
Gal.  iii.  1.  Rev.  v.  6 — 9. 

By  combining  all  these  characters,  as  set  forth 
in  the  several  appellations  we  have  considered, 
we  come  to  the  view  of  our  Lord  as  the  Tree  of 
Life :  a  title  which  comprises  in  it  all  that  faith 
can  desire.  It  carries  us  back  to  the  first  Eden, 
wherein  the  sacramental  pledge  was  seen  and 
possessed  by  Adam.  It  was  free  and  open  of 
access,  as  a  sign  and  pledge  of  present  and  future 
blessings  in  store  for  man,  dependent  on  his  obe- 
dience. The  obedience  was  broken,  and  the  pledge 
was  withdrawn.  The  unsheathed  sword  was  dis- 
played, and,  turning  every  way  to  keep  the  way 
of  the  tree  of  life,  proclaimed  the  awful  prohibition 
and  forfeiture  !  The  life  thus  lost  to  the  sinner  is 
restored  in  a  second  Adam  ;  and  in  Jesus  we 
behold,  not  a  type  or  shadow,  but  the  substance 
of  spiritual  eternal  life  given  back  to  man.  He 
stands  in  the  midst  of  the  church,  in  the  midst  of 
the  renewed  heart,  as  the  abiding  life  and  source 
of  life  to  his  people.  His  boughs  afford  perpetual 
fruit.  No  winter  seasons,  no  exhaustion  of  the 
productions,  can  be  known  by  him,  "  he  yieldeih 
his  fruit  every  month  ;  and  the  leaves  of  this  tree 
are  for  the  healing  of  the  nations."  Rev.  xxii.  2. 


188 


THE    REST    OF    THE    HEART 


Let  us  not  say  that  interesting  as  the  view  of 
Jesus  may  be,  in  respect  of  his  grace  and  glory, 
it  seems  httle  connected  with  the  subject  of  the 
believer's  enjoyment.  It  is  true  all  these  privi- 
leges are  the  believer's,  in  whatever  frame  of 
mind  he  may  embrace  them,  but  they  are  privi- 
leges which  afford  not  only  the  quiet  repose  of 
faith,  but  which  yield  the  supply  of  hliss,  and  it  is 
from  Jesus,  as  apprehended  powerfully,  and  as 
revealed  manifestly  in  these  characters,  that  the 
peculiar  enjoyment  we  are  to  seek  is  given.  Let 
us  therefore  understand,  that  the  possession  of 
such  a  part  of  Christian  experience  belongs  not  so 
much  to  the  habitual  life  of  faith,  as  to  the  partic- 
ular acts  of  faith.  And  that  our  faith  must  be 
called  forth  into  these  special  expressions,  not 
resting  in  a  general  sense  of  the  fulness  of  Jesus, 
but  taking  out  of  that  fulness  by  diligent  applica- 
tion to  the  several  parts  of  his  work  thus  revealed. 
For  example,  we  feel  experimentally,  that  if  we 
desire  a  blissful  assurance  from  the  condescension 
of  Chist,  it  is  by  means  of  entering  into  him,  or 
entwining  ourselves  around  him  as  our  incarnate 
God  ;  enjoyment  is  possessed  in  proportion  to  the 
liveliness  with  which  we  can  say  he  is  my  brother, 
my  friend,  I  lean  upon  his  arm,  I  trust  him  with 
all  my  case,  I  see  him  my  ever  present  and  my 
sympathising  associate.  In  order  to  positive  en- 
joyment we  must  be  in  the  act  of  contemplating 
his  richly  redeeming  love,  and  of  plunging  into 
the  fountain  which  is  opened  in  his  blood.     Our 


IN    AN    ALL-SUFFICIENT    LORD.  189 

bliss  is  found  in  feeling  that  the  blood  of  Jesus 
is  as  it  were  fresh-sprinkled  upon  the  heart.  It 
is  true  we  possess  peace  in  this  atonement,  and 
the  benefits  of  full  remission  when  we  come  to 
Christ ;  but  we  find,  as  we  advance  on  our  way, 
that  the  recollection  of  even  pardoned  guilt  pro- 
duces present  pain  ;  and  that  the  sense  of  contin- 
ued vileness  and  defilement  forms  a  burden  upon 
the  breast.  Nothing  can  remove  or  assuage  this, 
but  renewed  application  of  the  same  blood  as  did 
at  first  bring  us  peace  ;  and  therefore,  if  we  would 
live  in  spiritual  enjoyment,  we  must  come  again 
and  again  by  acts  of  faith.  It  is  not  enough  that 
we  have  once  drank  of  the  wine  of  the  cup;  enough 
indeed  it  is  to  be  a  sure  pledge  of  final  blessed- 
ness ;  but  ere  we  reach  the  eternal  rest,  we  have 
to  encounter  many  a  wearisome  fainting  and 
fatigue  of  soul,  which,  were  it  not  for  the  cordial^ 
would  sink  us  to  the  earth.  Our  enjoyment  is 
found  in  bringing  the  cup  again  to  our  parched 
lips,  and  in  renewing  our  taste  of  the  revivings 
of  salvation  as  drawn  from  a  crucified  Lord.  It 
is  a  blessed  privilege  to  know  that  the  apple  tree 
is  in  the  garden,  and  that  its  boughs  bear  their 
fruit  for  our  souls !  But  do  we  not  know  that 
bliss  is  dependant  upon  the  positive  use  of  the 
blessing?  We  must  sit  down  under  its  shadow, 
we  must  pluck  off  the  apple,  we  must  eat  it  and 
find  it  sweet  to  our  taste,  otherwise  the  high  con- 
solations of  faith  will  not  be  ours.  Thus  the  spouse 
is  represented  as  longing  for  such   intimate    and 


190        THE  REST  OF  THE  HEART 

realizing  acts,  "  Comfort  me  with  apples,  for  I 
am  sick  of  love."  Cant.  ii.  5.  It  is  not  enough  that 
the  rose  and  the  lily  adorn  the  garden,  we  must 
gather  them  and  apply  their  sweetness.  It  is  by 
drawing  closely  to  our  crucified  Lord,  by  investi- 
gation of  his  innocency  and  bleeding  love,  by 
intense  contemplation  of  his  grace,  and  by  holding 
him  firmly  and  nearly  to  our  breast,  that  we 
experience  that  rich  impregnating  sweetness 
which  imparts  a  joyous  persuasion  of  Christ's 
love.  By  similar  acts  of  faith  we  must  appro- 
priate the  blissful  truths  contained  in  the  relation 
which  Jesus  bears  to  the  soul  as  the  tree  of  life. 
We  must  not  only  contemplate  the  blessings  with 
admiration,  but  we  must  call  forth  a  lively  sense 
of  their  value  as  displayed  by  the  spiritual  Eden 
he  has  produced  within  the  heart,  and  in  glowing 
anticipation  of  the  paradise  that  is  above.  There 
the  fulness  of  the  redeemed  inheritance  is  laid  up 
for  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord,  and  these  are  privi- 
leged to  rejoice  in  the  promise,  "  to  him  that 
overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  paradise  of  God." 
Rev.  ii.  7. 

Thus  we  perceive  that  there  is  a  high  and  pecu- 
liar state  of  spiritual  bliss  into  which  advanced 
Christians  are  introduced  even  on  this  side  eter- 
nity. It  is  manifestly  a  desirable  possession,  and 
it  is  evident  it  is  attained  through  special  acts 
of  faith.  Our  own  responsibility  therefore  stands 
conspicuously  before  us,  for  as  we  perceive  that 


IN    AN    ALL-SUFFICIENT    LORD.  191 

enjoyment  is  in  a  sober,  rational,  and  believing 
state  of  soul,  maintained  by  lively  acceptance  of 
revelation,  we  become  chargeable  with  great  and 
reprehensible  negligence  of  privilege  if  we  are  not 
resolutely  seeking  it.  We  should  therefore  look 
into  the  present  state  of  our  hearts  with  holy 
solicitude,  to  urge  them  upon  activity,  and  to 
determine  whether  we  are  in  possession  of  the 
blessedness  described. 

If  we  have  this  spiritual  enjoyment  our  attention 
must  be  given  to  cherish  it  diligently,  and  to  seek 
the  continuance  of  spiritual  simplicity  ;  so  that  we 
may  not  lower  the  standard  of  our  own  experience, 
nor  in  any  measure  admit  into  our  feelings  a  cor- 
rupt and  selfish  mixture.  Let  us  remember  at 
all  times,  that  although  we  may  derive  comfort 
from  the  plants  of  the  new  creation,  rejoicing  to 
behold  our  hearts  made  the  garden  of  the  Lord, 
we  must  consider  these  but  evidences  of  his  work, 
who  is  in  himself  the  true,  pure,  and  unmixed 
source  of  holy  joy  ;  and  in  every  sweet  excitement 
of  bliss  we  feel,  it  should  be  our  earnest  endeavour 
to  ascertain  that  we  possess  it  as  drawn  out  of  the 
broken  and  loving  heart  of  him,  who  gives  us  all 
our  joys  through  his  pains.  If  we  are  destitute 
of  this  joy,  it  is  our  duty  to  inquire  wherefore  we 
are  not  so  privileged  as  others  are  ?  It  may  be 
that  there  is  some  evil  in  us,  that  we  do  not  suffi- 
ciently mortify  and  resist :  if  so,  we  should  at  once 
encounter  it,  and  offer  it  as  a  sacrifice  to  the  Lord. 
If  our    sadness    originates    from   such    a    cause, 


192      THE  REST  OF  THE  HEART,  &C. 

remove  the  cause,  and  the  sadness  will  also  depart. 
But  possibly  it  may  proceed  from  the  Lord's 
vigilant  care  to  prevent  an  evil  to  which  we  are 
disposed.  Some  persons  whilst  abhorring  their 
guilty  self,  are  inclined  to  fall  in  love  with  their 
sanctification  ;  and  are  so  determined  upon  ascrib- 
ing their  enjoyment  to  the  plants  which  belong 
to  their  own  state  of  grace,  that  they  turn  not 
aside  to  contemplate  the  more  excellent  "  Plant 
of  renown."  If  this  be  the  case,  it  would  be  un- 
suitable to  allow  the  soul  to  find  gratification,  and 
therefore  it  is  sad.  Turn  then  for  a  while  even 
from  the  work  of  grace,  that  Jesus  Christ  alone 
may  be  beheld  ;  and  endeavour  to  take  him  in  the 
blessed  characters  he  fulfils  for  his  people  freely 
and  simply  as  he  is  given  to  the  soul.  Whilst 
delighting  in  the  life  and  labour  of  love,  we  must 
advance  in  spiritual  discernment  into  the  revela- 
tion of  Jesus,  that  it  may  be  our  joy  to  be  com- 
plete in  him.  This  is  what  belongs  to  an  advanced 
state  of  experience  belonging  to  a  renewed  heart; 
it  consists  with  increased  sense  of  personal  demerit, 
and  is  instrumental  to  promote  real  excellence. 


THE  HEART'S  CHARITY. 

John  xvii.  20 — 23. 

A  SOUL  advanced  into  the  possession  of  those 
spiritual  enjoyments,  which  we  last  investigated, 
is  prepared  for  the  exercise  of  many  dispositions 
which  are  of  a  relative  kind,  and  which  can  only 
be  demonstrated  by  such  as  are  in  the  intimate 
fellowship  of  the  spirit ;  they  are  the  peculiar 
affections  of  the  faithful  towards  their  fellow 
members  and  their  fellow  men,  and  are  in  action 
proportionably  to  the  individual  influence  of  the 
mind  of  Jesus,  which  they  experience  in  their  own 
souls.  The  Lord  has  great  designs  also  in  ren- 
dering his  people  relatively  a  blessing ;  he  hereby 
exhibits  the  lovely  productions  of  holiness  and 
peace,  so  as  to  justify  his  own  work ;  and  he  puts 
his  redeemed  upon  the  manifestation  of  disinter- 
ested and  liberal  feeling,  so  that  their  new  life  is 
called  forth  into  vigorous  exertion.  Were  it  not 
thus,  the  evil  of  selfishness  might  still  hide  itself 
even  under  the  appearance  of  that  which  is 
lovely ;  or  might  act  as  a  canker  worm  to  the 
fruits  which  we  produce.  There  is  no  reproach 
which  we  have  greater  reason  to  deprecate,  than 
that  which  was  spoken  against  Ephraim,  "He  is 
an  empty  vine,  he  bringeth  forth  fruit  unto  him- 
18 


194  THE  heart's  charity. 

self.''''  Hosea  x.  1.  And  when  we  are  in  the  pos- 
session of  conscious  personal  interest  in  the  Lord, 
we  shall  do  well  to  be  upon  our  guard,  lest  we 
should  in  any  degree  evince  indifference  to  the 
interests  and  enjoyment  of  others.  Wherever 
the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  exists,  there  will  be 
the  precious  productions  which  furnish  the  believer 
for  the  display  of  every  part  of  the  christian  life 
and  zeal  and  love  will  have  the  conspicuous  place 
in  the  regenerate  heart.  These  will  produce  their 
own  genuine  effects,  and  by  this  means  there  will 
be  a  beautiful  agreement  between  the  character 
of  Jesus,  as  considered  in  the  preceding  subject, 
and  that  of  the  souls  imbued  with  his  spirit:  so 
that  what  we  have  seen  of  our  Lord  as  conde- 
scending to  become  our  brother,  and  as  such  to  be 
to  us  a  fruitbearing,  overshadowing,  fragrant, 
sustaining  blessing,  will  in  measure  be  answered 
in  the  life  of  the  saint. 

In  the  condescension  of  Jesus,  there  was  indeed, 
and  is,  an  unspeakable  grace,  never  to  be  fully 
comprehended,  or  exhibited  by  the  creature.  His 
was  the  stooping  of  godhead  to  miserable  man, 
and  this  by  a  voluntary  assumption  of  our  nature 
under  circumstances  of  deep  humiliation.  He 
"  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  not  rob- 
bery to  be  equal  with  God,"  yet  he  made  himself 
of  no  reputation,  and  humbled  himself,  taking  the 
form  of  a  servant,  and  being  obedient  unto  death, 
even  the  death  of  the  cross.  Phil.  ii.  6.  This  was 
an  act  which  must  ever  remain  unfathomable  in 


THE  heart's  charity.       195 

mercy  and  grace,  the  admiration  and  wonder  of 
angels  ?  Yet  whilst  we  give  glory  to  him  as  the 
exalted  head,  we  must  not  be  ignorant  of  the 
likeness  subsisting,  even  in  this  respect,  between 
him  and  his  members.  In  the  passage  referred 
to,  the  apostle  introduces  the  recollection  of  this 
grace  in  the  Saviour,  with  a  practical  intention. 
His  exhortation  stands  in  connexion  with  it, 
•'  Let  this  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also  in 
Christ  Jesus."  Phil.  ii.  5.  So  that  it  is  rendered 
undeniable,  that  the  christian  is  required  to  exer- 
cise a  mind  full  of  condescension,  kindness,  piety, 
forbearance,  and  tender  charities,  as  it  is  written, 
"  We  then  that  are  strong,  ought  to  bear  the 
infirmities  of  tlie  weak,  and  not  to  please  our- 
selves. Let  every  one  of  us  please  his  neighbour, 
for  his  good  to  edification.  For  even  Christ 
pleased  not  himself,  but,  as  it  is  written,  the 
reproaches  of  them  that  reproached  thee  fell  on 
me."  Rom.  xv.  1 — 3. 

But  it  may  be  said,  how  is  it  that  a  redeemed 
sinner  can  be  described  as  condescending  to  man  ? 
He  is  himself  partaker  of  human  nature  by  natural 
descent  from  Adam,  and  he  has  also,  notwithstand- 
ing his  privilege  in  redemption,  a  participation  in 
the  entailed  curse  and  sin  belonging  to  fallen  nature  : 
he  cannot  therefore  be  supposed  as  stooping 
below  himself,  even  in  any  case  to  which  he  may 
direct  his  interest,  or  sympathy  1  This  is  true. 
Yet  it  does  not  interfere  with  the  propriety  of  the 
exhortation,  that  we  should  condescend.     Children 


196  THE  heart's  charity. 

of  God  are  by  conversion  put  into  possession  of  a 
new  nature.  In  their  new  principle,  or  new  crea- 
tion, they  possess  hkeness  with  their  Lord.  And 
as  he  was  holy,  harmless,  undefiled,  and  separate 
from  sinners  in  his  immaculate  humanity,  so  the 
saint's  new  principle  of  life  may  be  thus  charac- 
terized. It  is  holy,  being  the  pure  incorruptible 
seed.  1  Pet.  i.  22,  23.  It  is  harmless,  having  the 
lamb-like  disposition  of  love  and  peace.  Matt.  x. 
16.  It  is  undefiled,  for  the  followers  of  the  lamb 
keep  their  garments,  and  are  without  guile  before 
him.  Rev.  xiv.  5.  It  is  separate  from  sinners, 
for  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  Lord  God 
Almighty  hear  the  divine  voice  which  calls  them 
forth  from  the  world,  and  they  come  out  and  are 
separate.  2  Cor.  vi.  17,  18.  Neither  is  there 
any  disposition  more  conspicuously  evinced  by  the 
disciple,  than  their  dread  of  being  found  of  the 
world.  Thus  David  supplicates,  "  Gather  not 
my  soul  with  sinners,  nor  my  life  with  bloody 
men,  &c."  Ps.  xxvi.  9 — 11.  Nevertheless  the 
spirit  is  kept  in  conscious  lowliness,  and  in  un- 
feigned charity.  It  is  not  a  separation  produced 
by  self-importance,  or  maintained  in  self-conceit. 
Having  an  experimental  knowledge  of  God's 
dealings,  who  is  good,  and  merciful,  and  therefore 
teacheth  sinners  in  the  way,  (Ps.  xxv.  8,)  he 
desires  to  reflect  the  same  image ;  he  also  would 
mingle  mercy  with  his  goodness;  and  having  felt 
what  it  is  to  be  a  sinner,  and  known  the  blessed- 
ness of  passing  from  this  state  of  death,  be  has  a 


THE  Heart's  CHARmr.  197 

heart  which  zealously  and  affectionately  seeks  to 
persuade  men,  and  pluck  them  from  the  fire. 
2  Cor.  V.  11.  Jucle  23.  But  this  disposition  is 
not  only  in  action  towards  the  wanderer :  it  lives 
in  perpetual  readiness  towards  the  professing 
body,  and  to  every  member  thereof  will  extend 
tender  forbearance  and  sympathy.  There  are 
many  upright  souls  in  the  church  of  Christ,  who 
will  call  upon  the  affections.  They  are  possibly 
weak  in  knowledge,  experience,  and  faith:  they 
are  liable  to  many  sorrows,  temptations,  and 
assaults,  and  are  frequently  burdened  with  infir- 
mity, and  impeded  by  trials.  Towards  these  the 
Scripture  has  enjoined  the  more  advanced  to 
exercise  correspondent  feelings — "Brethren,  if  a 
man  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,  ye  that  are  spiritual 
restore  such  an  one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness, 
considering  thyself,  lest  thou  also  be  tempted. 
Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens,  and  so  fulfil  the 
law  of  Christ."  Gal.  vi.  1,2.  "Now  we  exhort 
you,  brethren,  warn  them  that  are  unruly,  comfort 
the  feeble-minded,  support  the  weak,  be  patient 
towards  all  men."  1  Thess.  v.  14.  These  are 
affections,  which,  according  to  the  example  of  the 
apostle,  must  be  in  exercise  with  that  kind  of 
sympathy,  which  render  the  experience  of  the 
tried  one,  near  and  important,  even  as  if  it  were 
our  own — "  Who  is  weak  and  I  am  not  weak — 
who  is  offended  and  1  burn  not?"  2  Cor.  xi.  29. 

Impartiality  being  one  of  the  greatest  requisites 
in  the  life  of  genuine  charity,  and  conseq^uently 
18* 


198  THE    HEARTHS    CHARITY. 

wrought  in  the  regenerate  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  we 
shall  discover  it  in  proportion  to  the  advance 
of  the  soul,  abundant  in  universal  condescen- 
sion. It  does  not  depart  from  its  own  high  pro- 
tection, but  it  stands  with  open  arms  to  invite  all 
to  participate  in  its  joys.  It  does  not  allow  of 
any  depression  of  the  search  after  knowledge, 
but  it  is  ready  to  enter  into  the  experience  of  the 
most  infantine  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  in  this 
mind  lives,  speaks,  and  acts  as  his  master  did, 
according  to  the  measure  which  a  disciple  may 
obtain.  It  is  necessary  to  admit  this  considera- 
tion with  some  serious  attention,  for  if  we  are 
defective  in  the  spirit,  we  shall  awfully  err  against 
the  christian  standard.  We  are  commanded  to 
^^  condescend  to  men  of  low  estate,^''  Rom.  xii.  16: 
a  precept  which  is  followed  by  these  words,  "  Be 
not  wise  in  your  own  conceits."  This  seems  to 
affix  the  true  meaning  to  the  passage,  and  to  shew 
us  that  a  low  estate,  intellectually  demonstrated,  is 
the  condition  we  are  thus  to  receive  under  our 
sympathy ;  our  own  observation  will  convince  us 
of  the  many  who  live  in  the  service  of  Jesus,  who 
are  very  deficient  in  point  of  judgment  or  know- 
ledge. Some  have  had  little  advantage  for  further- 
ing such  attainments;  others  are  not  talented 
equally  with  those  who  have  more  enlarged  capa- 
cities :  some  are  beginners  in  the  way,  and  some, 
are  so  illiterate,  that  upon  the  most  common  con- 
cerns  they  have  difficulty  in  conveying  their 
gleaning  by  words.     In  such  instances,  the  more; 


THE  heart's  charity.       199 

cultivated  and  advanced  may  be  inclined  to  feel, 
and  betray  not  only  surprise,  but  impatience  and 
rash  judgment,  and  so  may  fall  into  the  snare  of 
discomposing  and  troubling  the  upright,  and  of 
committing  a  trespass  against  the  spirit  of  humil- 
ity and  love.  Here  therefore  condescension  must 
be  in  exercise,  teaching  us  kindly,  and  judiciously, 
and  patiently,  to  bear  with  what  is  homely,  and 
to  penetrate  through  the  obscurity  of  erroneous 
terms  into  the  intention  and  feeling  of  the  person. 
To  this  low  estate  Jesus  did,  and  does  condescend, 
he  will  not  quench  the  smoking  flax,  he  will  carry 
the  lambs  in  his  bosom,  and  gently  lead  those  that 
are  with  young:  and  the  disciple  is  bound-  to 
emulate  likeness  to  his  master. 

But  we  will  not  limit  our  view  of  condescension 
to  the  low  estate  which  respects  profession  or 
intellect.  They  who  fill  the  low  estate  of  the 
poor  of  this  world,  are  amongst  the  number  of 
such  as  we  must  unfeignedly  condescend  unto. 
Difference  of  station  in  life  belongs  to  the  divine 
government,  and  is  necessary  for  wise  ends ;  but 
it  does  not  place  any  real  difference  between  man 
and  man  as  the  creatures  of  God.  "  He  hath 
made  of  one  flesh  all  nations ;"  and  we  all  alike 
descend  from  Adam  as  our  parent  stock.  The 
believer  remembers  this,  and  is  exhorted  to  act 
upon  it,  not  shewing  respect  of  persons.  James 
ii.  1 — 5.  As  part  of  their  conformity  to  the  Lord. 
1  Pet,  i.  17.  And  if  it  be  done  in  the  spirit  of 
Jesus,  it  will  be  impartial,  aot  confined   to  the 


200       THE  heart's  charity. 

very  poor,  not  done  with  visible  sense  of  condes- 
cension, not  limited  to  such  as  are  more  imme- 
diately connected  with  us,  but  universal,  without 
prejudice,  without  hypocrisy,  and  without  par- 
tiality. 

Thus  we  perceive  what  is  the  general  and  hab- 
itual preparation  of  heart  possessed  by  the  believer 
towards  a  more  special  display  of  his  likeness  to 
Jesus,  and  how,  having  a  brother's  heart,  he  is  ready 
as  the  occasion  requires  to  evince  the  disposition  of 
a  brother. 

As  Jesus  is  pre-eminently  the  living  or  true 
Vine,  his  disciples  will  also  in  his  degree  exhibit  a 
pre-eminence  of  this  description:  he  also  will  bear 
the  clustering  grape,  and  by  the  juice  thereof 
make  glad  the  heart  of  God  and  man.  It  is  true 
he  bears  no  justifying — no  atoning  fruit :  but  he 
bears  fruit,  and  this  is  acceptable  unto  God ;  he 
receives  the  sweet  savour  as  the  effect  of  his  own 
operative  grace,  and  as  coming  up  before  him  in 
Christ.  f  Thess.  iv.  1.  Hob.  xiii.  16.  Phil.  iv. 
18.  Towards  man  his  fruits  are  relatively  glad- 
ness, joy,  blessing. — According  to  the  scripture 
account  of  God's  children,  the  wilderness  is  glad 
for  him :  he  strengthens  the  weak  hands,  and  con- 
firms the  feeble  knees  ;  Isaiah  xxxv.  3.  he  ministers 
the  cup  of  salvation  as  God's  instrument,  presenting 
it  to  the  lips  of  the  parched  and  thirsty  soul ;  and 
he  passes  on  his  way  intent  upon  strengthening 
the  weary  by  the  words  of  his  mouth,  and  con- 
firming them  in   their  privileges  by  counsel  and 


THE  heart's  charitv.  201 

prayer.  See  Job.  xvi.  5.  Acts  xviii.  23.  Cant, 
vii.  9.  There  are  many  living  examples  of  this 
fact.  We  look  upon  innumerable  guilty  sin 
burdened  souls,  who  have  been  encouraged  to 
turn  to  the  great  salvation  by  the  testimony  which 
the  matured  believer  has  given,  Cant.  vi.  1.  13 ; 
and  upon  many  even  of  the  vigorous  and  strong 
in  faith,  whose  consolations  and  joy  have  been 
rendered  more  abundant  by  the  Christian  fellow- 
ship they  have  found  in  this  fruit-bearing  Vine. 
Rom.  i.  12  ;  XV.  32.     1  Cor.  xvi.  18. 

The  wide  spreading  and  fruitful  bough  is  also 
an  emblem  of  Jesus'  disciple.  The  relative  affec- 
tions of  the  believer  are  constituted  overshadow- 
ing blessings  to  pilgrims :  they  dwell  under  his 
shadow,  and  return,  revive,  grow,  and  give  their 
fragrancy  abroad.  Hosea  xiv.  7.  They  find  in 
the  advanced  experience  and  wise  counsel,  and 
sheltering  kindness  of  such  an  one,  blessed  rest, 
and  holy  edification ;  and  many  a  time,  when 
ready  to  faint  under  persecution,  calumny,  afflic- 
tion, conflict,  they  run  as  it  were  underneath  these 
boughs,  and  they  feel  themselves  stayed  and 
comforted.  Neither  is  it  to  the  time  of  their 
sojourning  here  that  these  relative  benefits  are 
confined.  Believers  are  comparable  to  the  lily 
and  the  rose.  Cant,  ii.  2.  giving  sweetness  where 
they  dwell,  and  after  their  departure  hence  their 
fragrancy  remains.  In  this  they  are  conformed 
to  their  Lord.  They  are  plucked  and  gathered 
and  gone,  but  the  savour  of  their   conversation 


202 


THE    HEART  S    CHARITY. 


and  example  remains,  so  that  being  dead  they  yet 
speak.  Ileb.  xi.  4.  Their  tongue  is  silent  in  the 
grave,  and  their  spirits  are  with  those  who  dwell 
on  Mount  Zion  above,  nevertheless  they  are  pre- 
sent still  in  the  memory  of  those  to  whom  they 
have  ministered  on  earth,  and  in  whom  the  benefit 
of  their  work  of  love  still  remains.  The  recollec- 
tion of  their  zeal,  devotion,  charity,  patience, 
faith,  especially  as  evinced  in  their  dying  hours, 
sheds  a  refreshing  influence  on  those  who  mourn 
their  departure,  and  who  press  towards  the  same 
mark :  thus  they  are  added  to  the  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses who  are  encompassing  the  militant  church. 
Heb.  xii.  1,  2.  23. 

These  are  spiritual  excellences  of  a  high  and 
singular  kind  :  and  we  as  saints  should  labour  to 
possess  growing  appreciation  of  them.  They  not 
only  belong  exclusively  to  such  as  are  born  again 
of  the  Spirit,  but  in  their  perfect  developement 
they  belong  to  such  as  are  matured  in  the  faith.  It 
is  the  very  existence  of  Jeho  ah  himself  who  is 
love — communicative  love  !  We  behold  our  God 
in  his  own  infinite  perfection  which  is  essential  in 
his  own  uncreated  and  blessed  nature,  and  we  ad- 
mire and  adore  :  we  behold  him  as  manifested  in  his 
dear  Son,  and  thus  bringing  divine  charity  near 
unto  man,  a  charity  which  by  boundless  free  grace 
has  dispensed  life  to  a  lost  world,  and  embraced 
the  wretched  outcast  with  purposes  of  unsearchable 
love.  We  contemplate  this  act  of  grace  with  in- 
creased understanding  of  its  glorious  fulness,  and 


THE  heart's  charity.       203 

we  bless  him  with  the  grateful  tribute  of  that  heart 
he  has  conquered  for  himself.  We  feel  also  that  he 
who  dwelleth  in  God  dwelleth  in  love,  not  only  as 
divine  love  is  thus  become  his  dwelling-place,  but 
as  he  experiences  its  impregnating  virtue  and 
power  diffusively  giving  itself  through  the  inward 
man,  and  causing  him  in  his  measure  to  be  Love. 
It  is  therefore  an  excellent,  high,  and  supernatural 
existence  !  Alas,  by  nature  we  are  wholly  of  a 
contrary  mind,  hateful  and  hating  one  another, 
seeking  our  own,  biting  and  devouring  one 
another.  Titus  iii.  3.  James  iii.  Gal.  v.  15. 
Nor  are  we  ever  brought  into  the  possession  of 
charity  until  we  are  constrained  by  the  love 
of  Christ.     2  Cor.  v.  14. 

It  is  also  necessary,  even  in  believers,  that  this 
disposition  be  excited,  prayed  over  and  watched 
for.  In  us  there  is  a  corrupt  fleshy  law  which 
wars  against  that  which  is  spiritual ;  there  is  a 
constant  tendency  to  slothfulness  and  selfishness, 
which  must  be  resolutely  resisted  ;  and  we  should 
be  so  sensible  of  this  as  to  live  proportionably  close 
to  our  Lord  and  in  his  Spirit.  As  assistant  to 
our  lively  expression  of  this  relative  zeal,  we 
should  call  in  the  recollectionof  our  own  individual 
experience.  This  will  teach  us  with  increased 
emotion  to  contemplate  the  time  of  our  alienation 
from  God,  when  we  lived  without  him  in  the 
world,  were  apostates  and  workers  of  evil,  when 
the  act  of  sovereign  grace  found,  rescued,  and 
saved  us.     It  will  teach  us  to  feel  the  inconsistency 


204       THE  heart's  charity. 

of  dealing  out  censures  against  others,  and  the 
wickedness  of  casting  a  stone  against  a  fellow- 
sinner;  since  nnercy  has  prevailed  for  our  own 
soul,  we  shall  believe  that  it  can  prevail  for  the 
most  abandoned.  We  contemplate — and  our  faith 
gathering  fervor  by  such  reflection,  will  be  ready 
thus  to  embrace  the  poor  sinner,  bringing  him 
before  the  mercy-seat  in  our  arms  of  charity  ;  and 
saying,  '  Lord,  since  thy  love  has  been  magnified 
in  me,  O  why  shall  it  not  be  magnified  in  this  poor 
soul.'  1  Tim.  i.  15.  We  should  constantly  reflect 
upon  our  own  short-comings  :  see  what  it  has  cost 
us  to  reach  the  present  standard, — what  conflict, 
what  heart-breakings,  what  humiliation,  what 
agony, — and  how  after  all,  we  are  but  unprofitable 
servants.  This  hasty  fall  will  excite  the  grace  of 
charity.  We  dare  not  hurl  the  stone  of  condem- 
nation— it  drops  from  our  uplifted  hand.  We 
dare  not  rashly  censure,  or  pass  judgment  upon 
our  fellow-traveller ;  knowing  by  experience  how 
much  may  be  endured  before  God,  to  which  no 
human  eye  is  privy,  we  learn  to  hope,  and  pray, 
and  forbear.  John  viii.  7.  Luke  xvii  18;  xxii. 
32.  Rom.  vii.  18,  19.  These  helps  will  be  found 
serviceable  in  furthering  our  own  souls  in  the  life 
of  love.  And  we  should  habitually  bear  about 
with  us  the  recollection  of  what  the  Lord  has  done, 
is  doing,  and  must  still  do  for  us,  if  we  attain  the 
high  places  of  the  kingdom,  and  live  to  the  glory  of 
his  redeeming  name. 

To  this  standard  let  us  perpetually  aim,    and 


THE  heart's  charity.       205 

supplicate  our  Lord  to  sanctify  all  the  steps  we 
have  trod — all  the  mercies  and  deliverances  we 
have  experienced — and  all  the  spiritual  enjoyments 
into  which  we  are  admitted  ;  that  they  may  lead  us 
forth  into  the  life  of  visible,  impartial,  experimental 
charity  here  on  earth,  and  number  us  with  those 
blessed  ones  whose  memory  is  made  a  blessing, 
and  whose  sweet  savour  in  Christ  is  never  lost  in 
life  or  death !  O  may  the  weary,  the  tried,  the 
sorrowful,  yea  the  guilty  also,  find  in  us  a  tender- 
ness which  meets  their  every  want,  and  which  in 
the  Spirit's  power  shall  be  blest  in  drying  the 
mourner's  tear,  and  in  bringing  the  stranger  home ! 


19 


THE  MATURED  AND  RIPENED  EXPERI- 
ENCE OF  THE  HEART. 

Mark  iv.  28,  29. 

Having  passed  through  the  investigation  of  man^s 
condition  under  several  important  periods  of  his 
probationary  state,  and  conducted  him  in  this  view 
from  his  state  of  native  apostacy,  up  to  that  of  a 
matured  experience  in  the  heavenly  life,  it  remains 
for  us,  previously  to  quitting  this  interesting  sub- 
ject, to  examine  the  season  in  which  the  saint  may 
be  considered  ripe  for  that  blessed  exchange 
which  he  will  make  of  time  for  eternity.  It  is 
the  season  wherein  the  Lord  gathers  his  matured 
fruit,  and  takes  it  to  himself  in  the  heavenly 
garner.  Let  the  mind  at  this  moment  recall  the 
stages  through  which  we  have  past.  We  have 
considered  the  sinner  as  apostate  from  God,  as 
under  conviction  upon  his  judgment  and  natural 
feelings,  as  moved  to  a  holy  profession  of  return 
to  God,  as  restless  whilst  with  divided  affections, 
and  brought  to  decision  by  the  release  of  his  Will, 
as  entering  upon  an  upright  warfare  against  sin, 
as  experiencing  personal  impotency  in  the  conflict, 
as  abased  and  contrite,  as  pouring  out  his  heart 
at  the  foot  of  the  cross  with  a  desire  for  union 
with  Jesus,  as  taken  into  conscious  union,  as  con- 


RIPENED    EXPERIENCE   OF    THE    HEART.       207 

scious  henceforth  of  vigorous  power  unto  holiness, 
as  exhibiting  visible  beauty  in  the  Christian  life,  as 
living  in  holy  vigilance,  as  kept  by  the  covenant 
power  of  God,  as  abounding  in  spiritual  enjoyment, 
as  living  in  lively  affections  of  relative  charity. 
We  must  remember  that  in  all  this  experience  is 
a  progressive  condition  of  excellence,  and  that  it 
is  all  designed  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  the 
soul  into  its  proper  final  existence,  in  that  region 
of  glory  where  faith  will  be  succeeded  by  blissful 
vision,  and  where  conflict  will  give  place  to  ever- 
lasting peace ! 

In  all  creation  there  is  a  certain  order  observed 
by  the  Creator.  None  of  his  works  on  earth 
present  us  with  any  production  that  is  at  once 
perfect  in  maturit)^,  or  strength,  or  beauty.  From 
the  lowest  to  the  most  exalted  of  God's  creaturies 
in  the  vegetable  or  animal  world,  there  is  a  pro- 
gressive existence  advancing  to  the  perfection  of 
its  species  or  kind,  and  preserving  a  vast  and  won- 
derfiil  distinction  between  the  Almighty  Worker 
and  his  work.  Jehovah  alone  is  infinitely  perfect ; 
in  his  own  self-existent  Being,  possessing  a  perfec- 
tion which  admits  of  no  gradation,  or  variation  in 
quality  or  degree.  He  is  the  same  yesterday,  to- 
day, and  for  ever  !     Heb.  xiii,  8. 

It  is  interesting  and  important  to  observe  how 
this  order  of  progressive  attainment  is  appointed, 
not  only  in  the  natural,  but  also  in  the  spiritual 
world ;  and  that  the  whole  of  the  new  Creation  is 
thus   arranged.     Even  in   respect  of  Christ   the 


208  THE    MATURED   AND    RIPENED 

living  head,  we  perceive  that  such  is  the  divine 
will.  In  his  assumption  of  human  nature,  he  took 
it  in  all  its  infantine  weaknesses,  and  "  increasing 
in  wisdom  and  stature,"  according  to  the  prophecy 
which  declared  that  he  should  grow  up.  Isaiah 
xi.  1.  And  be  given  as  a  cliild.  Isaiah  ix.  6.  So 
also  in  respect  of  his  covenant  character,  he  is 
described  as  attaining  to  a  certain  perfection,  or 
completion  of  the  state  requisite  for  its  several 
parts.  We  read  that  it  "  became  him,  for  whom 
are  all  things,  and  by  whom  are  all  things,  in 
bringing  many  sons  to  glory,  to  make  the  captain 
of  their  salvation  perfect  through  suffering."  Heb. 
ii.  10.  And  that  "  being  made  perfect,  he  became 
the  author  of  eternal  salvation  to  all  them  iliai 
obey  him."  Heb.  v.  9.  We  should  rightly  under- 
stand these  testimonies,  otherwise  we  might  fall 
into  the  error  of  supposing  that  our  Lord  pos- 
sessed more  fitness  or  provision  for  the  sacrifice 
of  himself  and  his  mediatorial  government,  at  one 
period  than  another.  Whereas  Jesus  was  always 
God's  Christ.  He  was  not  more  holy  in  one 
stage  of  his  life  than  another,  but  was  from  his 
conception  "  that  Holy  thing."  He  was  not  pos- 
sessed of  the  Holy  Ghost  with  more  fulness  at 
one  time  than  another,  for  the  Spirit  dwelt  with- 
out measure  in  him.  In  him  dwelt  all  fulness, 
yea,  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily,  not  only 
as  he  is  the  incarnate  God,  but  as  he  ever  pos- 
sessed the  fulness  of  the  complacent  presence 
of  the  Father  and  Spirit  in  his  office  character. 


EXPERIENCE    OF    THE    HEART.  209 

Consequently  he  was  always  our  prophet,  our 
Priest,  and  our  King  ;  as  the  history  of  his  time  of 
humiliation  will  sufficiently  determine.  Neverthe- 
less, there  was  a  giving  forth,  or  developement,  of 
his  Messiahship,  according  to  the  progressive  light 
he  came  to  diffuse  amongst  men,  and  belonging  to 
the  several  stages  through  which  he  had  to  pass  in 
accomplishing  the  conditions  of  salvation,  and  pass- 
ing to  his  mediatorial  seat  above ;  where  he  liveth 
the  perfect  captain  and  author  of  salvation,  alto- 
gether such  an  one  as  answers  the  testimony  of  his 
grace,  and  the  nature  of  his  kingdom. 

When  directing  our  attention  to  Christ's  mys- 
tical body,  the  church,  we  discover  the  same 
order ;  that  is,  a  progression  which  belongs  to  the 
nature  of  the  divine  dispensation.  The  church 
itself  has  a  certain  stature  or  measure  unto  which 
it  is  ordained  to  reach.  This  sublime  interest  is 
not  left  under  the  notion  of  uncertainty,  or  inde- 
cision, on  the  part  of  God,  respecting  its  arrange- 
ment for  time  or  eternity.  Known  unto  God  are 
all  his  works  from  the  beginning.  By  him  the 
•whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named.  Eph. 
iii.  15.  And  the  whole  shall  be  composed  of 
individual  members  ordained  to  the  final  inheri- 
tance. Correspondently  with  this  gospel  revela- 
tion, is  the  type  of  which  we  read  in  Exod.  xxv. 
9.  and  which  is  interpreted  in  Heb.  viii.  5.  iii.  1 — 6. 
The  tabernacle  built  by  Moses  was  typical  of 
Christ's  mystical  body,  the  church.  It  was  built 
after  the  pattern  that  was  first  exhibited  to  Moses 
19* 


210  THE    MATURED    AND    RIPENED 

in  the  Mount ;  and  he  was  solemnly  charged  to 
adhere  to  this  rule,  and  be  faithful  to  his  responsi- 
bility. So  Christ  buildeth  his  church  in  covenant 
obedience,  and  according  to  the  pattern  of  the 
everlasting  purpose,  and  consequently  addeth 
daily  to  the  church  such  as  shall  be  saved.  Acts 
ii.  47.  It  therefore  groweth  up  into  a  holy 
temple,  maketh  increase  by  perpetual  addition  to 
its  numbers ;  as  also  by  continual  advances  in 
knowledge,  chanty,  and  visible  holiness,  according 
to  what  is  written  in  Eph.  iv.  12 — 16.  This  is 
called  the  perfecting  of  the  body,  that  is,  it  is  the 
maturing  of  its  spiritual  existence,  and  the  rapid 
advance  to  that  period,  when  the  last  stone  being 
brought  and  cemented  to  the  building,  the  scaffold- 
ing of  this  world  will  be  removed,  and  the  crowned 
church  appear  perfect  in  her  Lord. 

It  is  by  the  same  arrangement  that  individual 
believers  are  brought  to  their  perfection  ;  that  is 
shewn  by  Eph.  iv.  13,  14.  and  we  meet  with  other 
passages  in  the  word,  which  speak  of  saints 
as  advancing  from  infancy  to  manhood,  and  so 
possessing  a  perfection  in  their  life.  Thus  Paul 
exhorts,  "  be  ye  children  in  malice,  howbeit  in 
understanding  be  men^  1  Cor.  xiv.  20.  We 
Bpeak  wisdom  to  them  that  are  perfect.  Milk  for 
babes,  strong  meat  for  men.  Let  as  many  of  you 
as  be  perfect  be  of  the  same  mind.  I  count  not 
myself  as  having  attained,  nor  as  though  I  were 
already  perfect :  see  1  Cor.  ii.  6.  Phil.  iii.  12,  1.5. 
And  so  again  it  is  said,  that  believers  grow  like 


EXPERIENCE    OP    THE    HEART.  211 

the  lily,  and  that  they  bring  forth  more  fruit  in 
their  old  age.  Hosea  xiv.  5.  Psalm  xcii.  12 — 15. 
Consequently  we  find  that  it  is  in  accordance  with 
the  divine  arrangement,  that  in  spiritual  life  there 
is,  "  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear,  afterwards  the 
full  corn  in  the  ear."  It  is  requisite  to  be  well- 
informed  upon  this  point  equally  with  those  pre- 
ceding. We  talk  of  growing  in  grace,  and  it  is 
with  propriety  we  use  the  expression  !  At  the 
same  time  we  should  determine  what  is  meant  by 
this  phrase.  It  is  not  that  we  receive  new  princi- 
ples as  we  advance.  We  received  the  compre- 
hensive principle  once,  that  is,  in  regeneration. 
Regeneration  is  not  a  progressive,  but  an  instan- 
taneous act,  giving  life  to  the  dead,  in  which 
blessing  there  is  no  gradation  or  difference  of 
degree.  And  the  principle  of  life  is  perfect — the 
incorruptible  seed.  Growth  in  grace,  therefore, 
consists  of  the  progressive  developement  of  this 
holy  seed,  under  the  nurturing  operation  of  the 
Spirit,  through  the  means.  It  is  the  same  holy  life 
as  was  at  first  given,  but  it  is  demonstrated  in 
maturing  beauty ;  and  in  this  last  stage  is  the  per- 
fection of  the  heavenly  plant. 

These  considerations  will  assist  us  in  our  further 
inquiry  as  to  the  nature  of  this  matured  life : 
for  it  is  proper  to  observe,  that  it  is  discoverable 
in  the  increased  decision,  and  power  of  affection 
or  experience  already  possessed,  not  of  new  dis- 
positions which  were  hitherto  not  included  in  the 
work  of  grace.     Thus  for  instance,  the  ripened 


212  THE    MATURED    AND    RIPENED 

believer  has  in  an  early  stage  passed  through  deep 
conviction,  and  distressing  discoveries  of  his  ov^^n 
nature  and  heart.  An  increase  of  this  conviction 
belongs  to  increasing  grace ;  the  difference  lies 
in  its  accompaniments.  Formerly  it  was  produc- 
tive of  much  distraction,  or  internal  tumult, 
agitation,  anguish,  and  assaults  upon  faith  and 
hope :  but  now  it  is  experienced  in  a  mind  so  far 
self-reduced  and  mortified,  as  to  receive  the 
discovery  in  submissive  abasement.  There  is  a 
decrease  of  self-importance,  of  self-expectation, 
and  a  spiritual  understanding  of  the  necessity  for 
laying  the  axe  to  the  root  of  the  tree.  Hence  the 
believer  will  say  with  unfeigned  lowliness,  "  I 
must  decrease  !"  And  perceives  that  he  receives 
the  sentence  of  death  in  himself,  that  he  should  not 
trust  in  himself,  but  in  God  who  raiseth  the  dead. 
2  Cor.  i.  9. 

Another  mark  of  growth  in  grace  is,  when  the 
covenant  method  of  salvation  becomes  increasingly 
precious,  through  the  knowledge  of  our  own 
vileness  and  unworthiness.  Redemption  in  the 
blessed  surety  has  been  already  appreciated  and 
powerfully  applied;  nevertheless,  increased  expe- 
rience will  add  a  daily  measure  of  love  and  grati- 
tude to  that  we  have  exercised ;  and  dependance 
upon  the  Lord  Jesus  will  become  proporlionably 
simple.  This  the  apostle  calls  growing  up  into 
him  in  all  things  who  is  the  head,  even  Christ. 
Eph.  iv.  15.  And  this  answers  to  the  testimony 
in  Prov.  iv.  18.  the  path  of  the  just  shineth  more 


EXPERIENCE    OF    THE    HEART.  213 

and  more  unto  the  perfect  day.  Pilgrimage  is 
increasingly  cheered  by  the  effulgent  beams  which 
are  given  from  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  until  in 
the  meridian  ray  the  spirit  is  ripened — complete — 
perfected — delivered  from  the  miserable  obstacles 
to  peace,  which  arise  out  of  self-seeking,  and 
brought  into  the  blessed  possession  of  a  pure  or 
unmixed  faith  in  the  all-sufficient  Saviour. 

These  are  exercises  which  by  no  means  inter- 
fere with  the  advancement  of  the  soul  in  all 
visible  holiness.  The  features  of  the  new  crea- 
ture in  Christ  are  always  after  the  pattern  of 
him  ;  and  as  the  saint  matures,  his  likeness  to  his 
Lord  becomes  more  conspicuous ;  and  if  we  may 
adopt  the  language,  he  is  more  manhj,  more  ener- 
getic, has  more  of  character  in  his  face.  This  is 
observable  very  particularly  in  the  advance  which 
is  made  in  spiritual  indifference  to  the  world  and 
weanedness  from  its  joys  and  sorrows ;  the  soul 
possessing  a  sweet  serenity  and  calmness,  that 
deepens  with  time,  combined,  as  we  have  shewn, 
with  unfeigned  love  of  mankind,  so  that  whilst  by 
the  strong  impulse  of  love  attracted  heavenwards 
the  spirit  perpetually  bounds  to  the  bosom  of  the 
Lord,  so  again  by  the  strong  impulse  of  charity 
yearning  over  the  souls  of  men  it  drops  down 
again  with  loving  willingness  to  abide  in  the  flesh 
if  by  any  means  it  may  be  made  instrumental  to 
bless  the  world.  It  is  evident  that  such  were  the 
fervent  affections  of  the  ripened  Apostles  previ- 
ously to  their  final  departure  hence ;  we  therefore 


214  THE    MATURED   AND    RIPENED 

conclude  that  as  in  them,  so  in  us,  this  dispo- 
sition belongs  to  an  advanced  state  of  grace  being 
produced  through  long  experience,  well  disci- 
plined feelings,  and  sanctified  self-knowledge.  See 
Phil.  i.  23,  24.  2  Pet.  i.  13,  15.  4—7.  1  Cor.  xiii. 
2  Thess.  i.  3. 

These  blessed  affections  being  brought  to  a 
state  of  maturity,  we  may  say  the  gathering  time 
is  come ;  or  that  should  it  please  the  Lord  not 
immediately  to  take  hence  the  soul,  its  meetness 
for  the  great  event  is  conspicuous  and  clear.  We 
may  possibly  in  the  course  of  this  subject  have 
had  it  suggested  to  us  to  inquire,  whether  we  are 
to  conclude  that  in  all  instances  when  the  soul  is 
prepared  for  its  departure  it  will  immediately  be 
taken  away,  so  that  the  delay  of  this  event  is  to 
be  considered  as  a  token  of  unmeetness,  or  of  not 
being  ripe  ?  The  most  satisfactory  reply  to  this 
question  will  be  found  by  turning  our  attention 
to  the  several  emblems  used  to  represent  the 
saints.  Now  we  know  that  the  JJoivcf  w  11  attain 
to  its  perfection,  exhibit  the  full  developement  of 
its  beauties,  its  rich  variety  of  glowing  tints,  its 
fragrancy  and  vigour,  and  continue  to  stand  in 
the  garden ;  and,  long  ere  it  yields  to  decay,  will 
refresh  us  with  its  loveliness.  The  fruit  also  that 
hangs  ripe  on  the  bough  continues  to  present 
itself  to  the  eye  in  its  mellowed  maturity,  long 
before  the  hand  is  put  forth  to  sever  it  from  the 
branch  on  which  it  grows.  And  the  corn  even 
when  reaped  by  the  sickle  is  suffered  to  stand  in 


EXPERIENCE  OP  THE  HEAKT.       215 

the  open  field  ere  it  be  taken  home  to  the  garner, 
and  is  many  times  contemplated  by  the  passenger 
on  his  way,  or  by  the  owner  of  the  crop.  Just  so 
is  it  with  ripened  souls ;  they  may  be  standing 
complete  in  him.  Col.  iv.  12.  And  in  experience 
be  ready  to  depart,  2  Tim.  iv.  6,  7 :  nevertheless 
they  may  not  yet  be  gathered.  The  Lord  has 
infinitely  wise  reasons  for  this  delay.  He  will 
not  hastily  take  away  what  is  calculated  to  reflect 
so  much  glory  to  him  in  the  church  and  in  the 
world.  It  is  good  to  lend  the  ripened  soul  awhile 
to  this  region  of  sin  and  woe,  that  so  others  may 
derive  a  parting  blessing  from  this  their  advance- 
ment, and  the  author  of  their  excellence  be  glori- 
fied. And  in  respect  of  the  dying,  who  being 
ready  to  drop  are  yet  held  by  some  slender  tie 
which  still  detains  them  in  the  vale  below  or  on 
their  dying  bed,  it  is  frequently  the  occasion  of 
much  honour  and  praise  to  the  Lord,  by  affording 
an  opportunity  for  the  saint  to  manifest  the 
triumphs  of  faith,  and  the  perfection  of  patience. 
These  reasons  are  sufficient  to  satisfy  us  of  the 
wisdom  of  the  Lord  herein :  and  we  know  not 
what  additional  blessings  are  hereby  given  into 
the  soul  of  the  believer  himself,  or  what  more 
abundant  entrance  into  the  heavenly  kingdom 
may  by  this  means  be  provided  for  him.  This 
should  afford  us  much  comfort  in  those  instances 
wherein  we  witness  the  apparently  painful  finger- 
ings of  departing  spirits,  who  struggle  with  the 
sufferings  of  dying  nature.     If  they  are  ripe  for 


216  THE    MATURED   AND   RIPENED 

their  eternal  rest,  God  is  thus  shewing  that  they 
are  in  their  abiding  affiance  through  the  awful 
struggle.  And  to  ourselves  in  the  prospect  of 
dying,  or  in  the  endurance  of  the  pains  of  death, 
it  should  be  a  consolatory  reflection,  that  we  are 
leaving  a  last  blessing  upon  those  who  behold  us ; 
and  that  like  the  orb  of  light,  that  is  about  to 
leave  the  inhabitants  on  whom  it  has  shone,  in  the 
comparative  shades  of  night,  we  set  in  glory,  and 
leave  as  it  were  our  lingering  rays  to  illumine  the 
horizon.  We  may  also  take  comfort  respecting 
the  question  of  whether  it  be  possible  for  I'edeemed 
souls  to  be  taken  away  before  they  are  ripe  ?  This 
we  cannot  imagine,  for  our  God  regulates  all  his 
ways  by  an  unerring  rule  of  wisdom,  both  as  it 
respects  himself  and  his  people.  That  there 
are  different  measures  of  blessedness,  holiness, 
and  visible  excellence,  is  undeniable :  and  that  we 
are  bound  as  responsible  creatures,  to  press  after 
the  highest  measure,  is  quite  clear  from  the  Scrip- 
ture. See  Peter  i.  11.  At  the  same  time  that  we 
are  sure  the  Lord  will  never  cut  off  Ms  fruit  in  an 
unripe  state,  or  before  it  is  prepared  to  be  laid  up 
incorruptible  and  excellent  in  the  future  kingdom. 
We  must  take  the  consolation  which  the  everlast- 
ing covenant  in  Christ  ensures  on  this  ground, 
seeing  that  all  his  redeemed  are  preserved  in  him, 
and  use  it  with  believing  industry,  being  solicitous 
to  prove  that  we  are  preserved  unto  a  high  state 
of  perfection,  and  consequent  abundance  in  glory. 
At  whatever  period,  however,  the  visitation  may 


EXPERIENCE  OF  THE  HEART.        217 

come,  wherein  we  are  received  to  rest,  we  are 
assured  that  it  shall  be  attended  with  a  glorious 
display  of  covenant  faithfulness.  Here  let  us 
call  to  mind  that  there  is  a  mutual  interest  in  the 
property.  Christ  and  his  people  being  sharers  in 
the  possession;  for  the  soul  that  is  blood-bought 
is  not  only  the  believer's  soul,  but  Jesus'  inheri- 
tance :  hence  Jesus  will  have  a  peculiar  care  of  it 
in  that  important  moment,  when  it  is  about  to  pass 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death :  he  considers 
this  the  period  when  he  shall  receive  of  the  travail 
of  his  soul,  when  he  shall  gather  the  reward  of  his 
suffering  work,  and  be  joyful  in  the  perfection 
of  his  own  heritage  as  the  Lamb.  Therefore  it  is 
said,  "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the 
death  of  his  saints."  Psalm  cxvi.  15.  He  has  now 
to  fulfil  his  own  promise,  of  which  not  only  Apostles, 
but  all  who  believe  are  heirs,  "  I  will  come  again 
and  receive  you  to  myself  that  where  I  am  there 
you  may  be  also."  John  xiv.  1 — 3.  It  is  now  that 
he  is  engaged  to  give  evidence  of  his  covenant 
character  and  victory,  of  which  he  spake  to  the 
Apostle  John  :  "  I  am  the  Alpha  and  Omega.  I 
am  he  that  was  dead  and  am  alive,  and  have  the 
keys  of  death  and  hell."  Rev.  i.  18.  By  these 
keys,  that  is  by  his  legal  authority  and  rule,  he 
opens  and  no  man  shuts,  shuts  and  no  man  opens ; 
and  in  reference  to  this  last  moment  displays  his 
own  wisdom,  opening  the  prison  house  of  clay 
in  the  best  moment  to  let  out  the  prisoner ;  open- 
ing the  realms  of  glory  to  let  it  in  to  its  eternal 
20 


218  THE    MATURED    AND    RIPENED 

mansion,  and  shutting  the  bottomless  abyss  so  that 
no  yawning  gulph  shall  aflVight  or  endanger  the 
liberated  spirit  as  it  enters  on  its  rapid  flight  to 
glory.  Thus  the  covenant  has  provided  security 
for  the  saints,  and  caused  it  to  be  written  that 
death  is  theirs.  1  Cor.  iii.  22.  Tlie  time  of  depart- 
ure is  also  a  peculiar  time  of  power  and  grace 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  in  his  office  as  witness 
and  comforter  puts  forth  his  omnipotence  to  sus- 
tain and  cheer  the  departing.  It  is  by  him  that 
Jesus'  victory  over  death  and  the  grave  is  applied 
with  power,  and  appropriated  to  the  drying  of  the 
tears  of  sorrow,  and  the  hushing  of  every  alarm 
or  fear.  It  is  by  him  that  the  spirit  is  refreshed 
in  the  consciousness  of  having  already  experienced 
his  regenerating  and  faithful  grace,  and  by  the 
present  mighty  application  of  these  truths,  that 
the  bed  of  sickness  is  made,  according  to  prom- 
ise ;  and  the  dying  pillow  is  softened  and  made 
a  place  of  holy  repose.  Psalm  xli.  3.  Isa.  xxv. 
8.  Ivii.  I.  2.  Thus  whilst  the  Saviour  puts  forth 
his  hand  by  a  gentle  force  to  disengage  the  fruit 
from  all  that  would  retain  it  here,  he  mingles  with 
the  act  the  blessed  impartation  of  power  and  love 
so  as  to  fill  the  soul  with  conscious  peace,  and 
sometimes  with  exulting  joy.  So  sustained,  the 
spirit  can  bid  a  cheerful  farewell  to  the  mortal 
part,  trusting  it  as  a  redeemed  property  to  be 
lodged  in  the  grave  as  in  a  place  of  rest,  until  the 
voice  of  the  Lord  shall  raise  it  again  to  never 
ending  beauty  and  life;  believing  also  that  until 


EXPERIENCE    OP   THE    HEART.  219 

that  period  of  perfection  to  the  whole  man,  the 
delivered  soul  shall  be  possessed  of  the  vision  of 
the  Lord.  These  are  mercies  abundantly  treasured 
up  in  Christ  for  the  ripened  saint,  and  so  given 
forth  in  the  last  hour  that  a  final  conformity  to 
Jesus  is  exultingly  known :  conflicts  being  over 
and  warfare  done,  the  cry  of  the  rejoicing  soul  as 
it  passes  into  rest,  is  like  that  of  the  living  Head — 
«  It  is  finished  !" 

Thus  death  is  stripped  of  its  terrors,  by  being 
disarmed  of  its  sting,  and  the  bible  testimony  is 
verified.  The  Lord  the  Saviour  triumphs  in  his 
saints,  and  by  him  they  sing  aloud,  "  O  grave 
where  is  thy  victory.  O  death  where  is  thy  sting." 
"  The  sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strength  of 
sin  is  the  law,  but  thanks  be  to  God  who  giveth 
us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
1  Cor.  XV.  55. 

Let  it  be  to  us  a  subject  of  deepest  import,  a 
point  of  heartfelt  interest.  Let  us  press  tovv^ards 
the  mark,  and  patiently  wait  the  Lord's  coming, 
vigilantly  guarding  against  whatever  might  de- 
press our  joy,  and  cherishing  the  disposition  which 
can  exclaim, — "  Come  quickly,  liOrd  Jesus  !" 

Let  all  who  have  not  the  evidence  of  meetness, 
or  of  an  advanced  state,  be  excited  to  reflection. 
Consider  the  solemn  words  which  are  spoken  in 
rebuke  of  the  barren,  unfruitful,  and  unsound. 
Be  afraid  of  the  command,  to  cut  the  barren  tree 
from  privileges  and  life  ;  of  the  threatened  judg- 
ment  awaiting  such    as    under    privileges    bring 


220  THE    EXPERIENCE    OP    THE    HEAUT. 

forth  the  briar  and  the  thorn  ;  or  of  being  num- 
bered with  those,  who  are  described  by  the  Prophet 
as  having  a  root  which  is  rottenness,  and  whose 
blossom  shall  go  up  as  dust.  Rather  let  us  seek 
the  Saviour's  effectual  grace,  and  in  his  strength 
prepare  to  meet  our  God. 


THE    END. 


NEW  AND  POPULAR  WORKS, 

FUB£ISH£I) 

BY  KEY  ^  BIDDLE, 

23  Minor  Street. 


GREAT  NATIONAL  WORK. 
Key  &  Biddle  have  in  course  of  publication, 
A  HISTORY  OF  THE  INDIAN  TRIBES  OF 
NORTH  AMERICA,  with  Biographical  Sketches  and 
Anecdotes  of  the  Principal  Chiefs.  Embellished  with  120 
Portraits,  from  the  Indian  Gallery  in  the  Department  of  War 
at  Washington.     By  Col,  T.  L.  M'Kenney. 

The  public  are  aware  that  a  most  interesting  and  curious 
collection  of  Indian  Portraits  has  been  making  since  1821, 
by  the  Executive  of  the  United  States;  and  that  this  collec- 
tion forms  a  gallery  in  the  Indian  department  at  Washing- 
ton, numbering  at  this  time  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
heads.  The  interest  felt  in  this  effort  to  preserve  the  like- 
nesses and  costume  of  our  aborigines — a  work  so  intimately 
connected  with  the  natural  history  of  Man,  is  indicated  by 
the  immense  numbers  of  citizens  and  foreigners,  who 
visit  the  gallery ;  and  the  uniform  admiration  they  express  of 
its  valuable  and  interesting  character.  Believing  the  public 
will  sustain  the  imdertaking,  the  undersigned  have  made 
arrangements  for  publishing  this  unique  group.  That  no- 
thing might  be  lost,  the  size  of  most  of  the  original  drawings 
have  been  preserved.  The  original  drawings,  it  may  be  pro- 
per to  remark,  are  principally  by  King,  of  Washington,  from 


JS  NEW   AND 

life;  and  will  be  vouched  by  responsible  names,  to  he  perfect 
likenesses. 

An  Essay  suited  to  such  a  work,  and  calculated  to  throw 
a  light  upon  the  history  of  this  interesting  people,  will  ac- 
company the  first  number ;  and  as  materials  will  authorize 
it,  the  remaining  numbers  will  be  interspersed  with  biogra- 
phical sketches,  andanecdotcs  of  the  original,  and  with  a  vo- 
cabulaire. 

This  part  of  the  undertaking  will  be  executed  by  Colonel 
M'Kenney,  of  the  Indian  De|)artment,  whose  long  and  fa- 
miliar intercourse  with  our  Indian  relations,  and  travels  over 
the  country  inhabited  by  most  of  the  tribes,  and  personal  know, 
ledge  of  most  of  the  originals,  fit  him  peculiarly  for  the  task. 

The  work  will  be  completed  in  twenty  numbers — each 
number  will  contain  six  heads  handsomely  coloured.  Terms 
of  sub.scription,  six  d<^)llars  per  number,  payable  in  advance. 

The  publishers  avail  themselves  of  the  following  flattering 
notice  of  this  design,  in  a  letter  from  Dr.  Sparks,  editor  of 
the  North  American  Review,  to  Col.  M'Kenney.  From  a 
gentleman  so  distinguished  as  Dr.  Sparks,  so  well,  and  so 
deservedly  appreciated  for  his  high  standing  and  attainments, 
his  taste  and  science,  and  with  such  enlarged  opportunities  of 
judging  of  the  importance  of  such  a  work,  such  a  letter  is 
very  encouraging. 

"  My  dear  sir, 

"  I  am  heartily  rejoiced  to  learn  by  your  favour  of  the  22d 
instant,  that  tliere  is  so  good  a  prospect  for  pubhshing  the 
portraits  of  the  red  men.  I  do  not  consider  that  I  have  any 
claim,  growing  oat  of  our  conversation,  and,  indeed,  as  my 
only  motive  was  to  be  instrumental  in  bringing  before  tlie 
public,  so  rare  and  curious  a  collection,  it  is  a  double  satis- 
faction for  me  to  know,  that  the  matter  is  in  so  good  hands, 
and  encourages  hopes  of  entire  success.  In  my  mind,  the 
whole  glory  and  value  of  the  undertaking,  will  depend  on 
the  accuracy  and  beauty,  with  which  the  heads  shall  be  exe- 
cuted, and  the  completeness  of  the  costume.  You  must  write 
all  that  is  known  about  thecliaracter  and  life  of  each  person. 
Let  us  have  a  work  wortliy  of  the  subject,  and  honourable 
to  the  nation,  and  just  to  the  Indians. 

"  Very  sincerely  your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  "  Jared  Sparks." 

Th.  L.  M'Kenney,  Esa. 

It  is  in  reference  to  the  foregoing  work  that  Peter  S.  Du- 
ponccau,  Esq.,  the  enlightened  scholar  and  profound  civilian, 
thus  expresses  himself: 


POPULAR   WORKS.  3 

"Dear  Sir, 

"  Philadelphia,  25th  Mey,  1831. 

"  I  can  not  express  to  you  how  delighted  I  was,  when  I 
Was  kindly  shown  by  Col.  Childs,  the  fac  similies  of  the  por- 
traits of  some  of  our  Indian  Chiefs,  which  he  has  already 
prepared  for  your  great  and  truly  National  work,  and  is  such. 
an  one  as  would  do  honour  to  the  greatest  sovereign  of  Eu- 
rope. It  has  often  occurred  to  ray  mind,  that  such  a  work 
would  have  added  much  to  the  glory  of  the  late  Emperor 
Alexander,  of  Russia;  and  I  yet  wonder,  that  his  friends  did 
not  suggest  to  him  the  idea  of  beginning  a  cabinet,  or  rather 
a  museum  of  the  nai!<ra/ history  of  man,  by  collecting  either 
in  wax  figures,  or  in  paintings,  in  an  immense  hall,  or  gal- 
lery, exact  likenesses,  representing  the  shapes,  colour,  and 
features,  as  well  as  the  various  costumes  of  the  numerous 
nations  and  tribes  that  inhabit  his  empire.  I  am  glad  he  did 
not  do  it,  and  that  our  country  will  have  the  honour  of  laying 
the  first  foundation  of  an  edifice,  which  must  sooner  or  later 
be  erected  to  the  most  important  of  ail  sciences,  the  know- 
ledge of  our  own  species.  The  day  will  come,  I  have  no 
doubt,  when  by  the  exertions  of  patriots  in  republics  like  our 
own,  and  the  munificence  of  monarchs  in  other  countries,  the 
philosopher  will  have  it  in  his  power  to  take  a  view  at  one 
glance  of  the  diiTerent  races  of  mankind,  their  genera,  spe- 
cies and  varieties  in  well  executed  effigies,  and  thus  to  test 
the  numerous  theories  to  which  differences  have  given  rise. 

We  are  going  then  to  begin  by  exhibiting  the  red  race. 
Your  knowledge  of  the  Indian  Tribes  is  not  merely  theoreti- 
cal ;  you  have  lived  among  them,  and  have  had  the  means  of 
becoming  familiar  with  their  habits,  manners,  and  customs, 
as  well  as  of  their  languages,  therefore  the  historical  part  of 
this  undertaking -could  not  he  confided  to  better  hands. 

"  The  aborigines  of  the  United  States  will  soon  disappear 
from  the  face  of  the  earth.  I  am  unwilling  to  dwell  upoa 
this  topic,  so  disgraceful  to  the  white  race — to  the  Christiaa 
race  to  which  1  belong — one  consolation  only  remains. 
By  means  of  this  great  work,  the  effigies  of  those  former 
lords  of  the  American  soil,  will  at  least  after  their  destruc- 
tion, serve  the  purposes  of  philosophy  and  science,  as  the 
bodies  of  murdered  men  in  the  hands  of  the  surgeon,  serve 
those  of  humanity. 

"  I  am,  respectfully,  your  friend 
and  servant, 
"  Peter  S.  Duponceau, 

"Thomas  L.  McKennet,  Esa." 


4  NEW  AND 

AN  ADDRESS  TO  THE  YOUNG,  ON  THE  IM- 
PORTANCE OF  RELIGION.  By  John  Foster,  au- 
thor of  Essays  on  Decision  of  Character,  &c. 

This  is  a  good  pubhcation,  well  conceived  and  admirably 
executed,  full  of  important  truths  and  beautifully  enforced. 

Our  readers  know,  or  ought  to  know  John  Foster,  the  Au- 
thor of  "Essays  on  Decision  of  Character,"  one  of  the  best 
writers  that  England  has  produced,  suited  to  be  compared  in 
many  things  with  Robert  Hall,  he  needs  no  higher  praise. — 
U.  S.   Gazette. 

This  work  comprises  a  series  of  eloquent  and  affectionate 
exhortations,  which,  if  carefully  attended  to,  will  make  wise 
and  good  men  of  all  who  lay  them  to  heart,  and  endeavour 
to  accord  with  them  in  life  and  conversation.  The  author 
has  acquired  great  celebrity  by  his  former  writings. — Satur- 
day Courier. 

We  are  not  going  to  hold  a  rush-light  up  to  a  book  of  John 
Foster's,  but  only  mean  to  tell  what  is  its  intent.  It  is  an 
awakening  appeal  to  youth  of  the  refined  and  educated  sort, 
upon  the  subject  of  their  personal  religion.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  as  to  its  currency. —  The  Presbyterian. 

John  Foster  is  allowed  by  men  of  all  parties,  political  and 
religious,  to  be  one  of  the  most  original  and  vigorous  think- 
ers of  the  age.  His  well  tried  talents,  his  known  freedom 
from  cant  and  fanaticism.  And  the  importance  of  the  sub- 
ject discussed,  strongly  commend  this  Book  to  the  attention 
of  that  interesting  class  to  whom  it  is  addressed.  All  his 
writings  are  worthy  of  careful  and  repeated  perusal;  but  his 
essay  on  "  Decision  of  Character"  and  this  "  Address  to  the 
Young,"  should  be  the  companions  of  all  young  persons  who 
are  desirous  of  intellectual  and  moral  improvement. 

Foster's  Address  to  the  Young. — Perhaps  no  reli- 
gious book  has  issued  from  the  American  press  which 
commanded  more  general  and  abundant  patronage  than 
one  from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  Jared  Waterbury,  called 
"  Advice  to  a  Young  Christian."  Aside  from  its  intrinsic 
excellence,  it  was  rendered  valuable  by  the  fact  that  it  was 
exactly  adapted  to  a  particular  class  of  society  ;  and  all  who 
wish  to  make  an  impression  upon  that  class,  was  apprised 
by  its  very  title  that  it  was  designed  to  be  subservient  to  such 
a  purpose.  A  work  of  precisely  such  a  character  from  the 
pen  of  the  celebrated  Foster,  and  designed  to  operate  upon  a 


POPULAR   WORKS.  5 

different  class  of  persons,  will  be  found  in  the  one  of  which 
the  caption  of  this  article  is  the  title-page.  The  name  of  its 
author  will  supersede  the  necessity  for  all  eulogium  to  those 
who  have  not  read  it,  and  to  those  who  have,  the  book  will 
abundantly  coannend  itself  Permit  me  to  direct  to  it  the 
attention  of  such  of  your  readers  as  may  have  careless  young 
friends,  into  whose  hands  they  would  desire  to  place  a  so- 
lemn, affectionate,  and  fervent  appeal  on  the  indispensable 
necessity  of  religion.  It  is  just  published  by  Key  and  Bid- 
die,  of  this  city,  and  can,  I  presume,  be  procured  at  any  of 
the  book-stores.  May  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  make 
it  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  many  souls. — Episcopal 
Recorder. 

A  MOTHER'S  FIRST  THOUHGTS.  By  the  au- 
thor of  "Faith's  Telescope." 

This  is  a  brief  miniature,  from  an  Edinburgh  edition. 
Its  aim  is  to  furnish  religious  Meditations,  Prayers,  and 
Devotional  Poetry  for  pious  mothers.  It  is  most  highly 
commended  in  the  Edinburgh  Presbyterian  Review,  and  in 
the  Christian  Advocate.  The  autbor,  who  is  &  Lady  of 
Scotland,  unites  a  deep  knowledge  of  sound  theology,  with, 
no  ordinary  talent  for  sacred  poetry. —  The  Presbyterian. 

"A  Mother's  First  Thoughts,"  is  a  little  work  of  great 
merit.  It  breathes  a  spirit  of  pure  and  fervent  piety,  and 
abounds  in  sound  and  salutary  instruction.  It  contains  also 
some  excellent  poetry. — Saturday  Courier. 

A  Mother's  First  Thoughts.  By  tlw;  author  of  "  Faith's 
Telescope,"  12  mo.  p.  223.  Key  &  Biddle,  Philadelphia, 
1833.  A  neat  pocket  edition  which  will  commend  itself  to 
all  parents  who  have  the  right  direction  of  the  minds  of  their 
children  at  heart.  It  is  dedicated  to  religious  mothers,  "  and 
may  He,"  says  the  author,  "  who  alone  can,  render  it,  in 
some  degree,  conducive  to  their  edification.'' — Journal  of 
Belles  Licttres. 

BRIDGE'S  ALGEBRA,  12  mo.  In  this  work  the 
hitherto  abstract  and  difficult  science  of  Algebra  is  simplified 
and  illustrated  so  as  to  be  attainable  by  the  younger  class  of 
learners,  and  by  those  who  have  not  the  aid  of  a  teacher.  It 
is  already  introduced  into  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at 
Philadelphia;  and  the  Western   University  at  Pittsburgh 


6  NEW  AND 

It  is  also  the  text  book  of  Gummere's  School  at  Burlington, 

and  of  a  great  number  of  the  best  schools  throughout  the 

United  States.     It  is  equally  adapted  to  common  schools  and 

colleges. 

Messrs.  Key  &  Biddle  have  published  in  a  very  neat  form, 
the  1st  American,  from  the  6tli  London  Edition  of  Bridge's 
Algebra;  a  treatise,  which  from  a  cursory  examination,  we 
think  superior  to  any  of  the  text  books  now  in  use,  for  perspi- 
cuity, simplicity  of  method,  and  adaptation  to  the  comprehen- 
sion of  learners.  It  contains  several  chapters  on  Logarithms 
and  the  subjects  connected  thereto,  which,  though  interesting 
and  important,  are  not  usually  appended  to  works  on  the 
subject. — Fredericksburg  Political  Arena. 

The  publishers  take  great  pleasure  in  presenting  the  ac- 
companying opinion  of  Profesor  Adrain,  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  has  introduced  the  work  into  that 
Institution. 

University  of  Pennsylvania,  March  30,  1833. 
Gentlemen — 

In  compliance  with  your  request,  that  I  would  give 
you  my  opinion  respecting  your  edition  of  Bridge's  Algebra, 
1  beg  leave  to  say,  that  the  work  appears  to  me  to  be  well 
adapted  to  the  instruction  of  students.  The  arrangement  of 
the  several  parts  of  the  science  is  j  udicious,  and  the  exam- 
ples are  numerous  and  well  selected. 

Yours  respectfully, 

ROBERT  ADRAIN. 

Philadelphia,  March  1th,  1833. 
Bridge's  Algebra  is  the  text  book  in  the  school  under  my 
care ;  and  I  am  better  pleased  with  it  than  with  any  which 
I  have  heretofore  used. 

The  author  is  very  clear  in  his  explanations,  and  system- 
atic in  his  arrangement,  and  has  succeeded  in  rendering  a 
comparatively  abstruse  branch  of  science,  an  agreeable  and 
interesting  exercise  both  to  pupil  and  teacher. 

JOHN  FROST. 


POPULAR   WORKS  7 

THE  CHRISTIAN  LIBRARY,  is  published  semi- 
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The  design  of  the  work  is  to  publish, 

1.  The  most  valuable  Religious  and  Literary  works  which 
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3.  Standard  works  which  may  be  out  of  print ;  and  se- 
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equal  to  thirty  volumes  12mo,  of  264  pages  each.      The 


8  NEW   AND 

usual  price  of  such  volumes  is  from  50  to  75  cents ;  on  the 
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THE  CHRISTIAN  OBSERVER.— K.&B.  also  pub- 
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to  go  to  any  part  of  the  country.  (The  Observer  has  cost 
heretofore  S  6  per  annum.) 

The  Library  &  Observer  are  recommended  in  the  high- 
est terms  by  the  following  distinguished  gentlemen : — 

G.  T.  Bedell,  D.  D.,  Thomas  M'Auley,  D.  D.  L.  L.  D., 
Thomas  Skinner,  D.  D.,  A.  Nettleton,  Author  of  Village 
Hymns,  William  T.  Brantley,  D.  D.,  W.  D.  Snodgrass,  D. 
D.,  G.  R.  Livingston,  D.  D.,  Stephen  H.  Tyug,  D.  D.,  A. 
Alexander,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Charles  Hodge,  A.  M.,  Rev.  J.  L. 
Dagg,  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Ashton,  Samuel  Miller,  D.  D.,  James 
Carnahan,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  Maclean,  A.  M.,  Rev.  Albert  B. 
Dod,A.  M.,  Chas.  P.  M'llvaine,  D.  D.  John  Breckenridge, 
A.  M.,  W.  C.  Brownlee,  D.  D.,  Rev.  G.  W.  Ridgeley,  A.  M., 
Rev.  Charles  H.  Alder,  A.  M.,  Cornelius  D.  Westbrooke, 
D.  D.,  James  Milnor,  D.  D.,  M.  Eastburn,  A.  M.,  G. 
Spring,  D.  D.,  W.  W.  Phillips,  D.  D.,  Samuel  H.  Cox,  D. 
D.,  R.  M'Cartee,  D.  D.,  J.  M.  Matthews,  D.  D. 

If  the  first  number,  which  we  have  received,  is  a  fair  spe- 
cimen of  the  work,  we  are  prepared  to  speak  of  it  in  terms  of 
the  highest  commendation.  It  contains  the  whole  of  the 
life  of  Robert  Hall,  by  Dr.  Gregory,  and  his  character  by 
Mr.  Foster.  We  confess  that  we  have  shared  in  the  alarm 
of  many  good  people  at  the  multiplication  of  books.  We 
have  been  anxious  to  see  "  to  what  this  would  grow."  We 
have  felt  alarm  for  the  healthiness  and  vigour  of  the  public 
mind.  Such  constant  stuffing,  such  gorging  with  books, — 
surely,  thought  we,  we  shall  have  a  generation  of  mental  dys- 


POPULAR   WORKS.  9 

peptics,  or  at  the  best,  of  bloated,  pot-bellied  epicures,  instead 
of  the  hale,  racy,  well-proportioned  minds  of  a  former  age. 
We  have  had  afeelinij  of  absolute  despair,  as  we  have  peram- 
bulated the  choked  aisles  of  a  modern  book-store,  and  have 
felt  that  we  needed  Virgil's 

"  Centum  linguae,  centumque  ora," 

with  the  hundred  hands  of  Briareus,  if  we  ever  expected  to 
read  and  handle  the  myriads  of  new  books.  But  we  are 
cured  of  such  feelings.  We  are  glad  to  see  a  new  book,  if  it 
be  a  good  one.  And  we  rejoice  at  every  new  expedient  to 
make  them  as  cheap  as  possible.  Every  good  book  wil,  have 
a  circle  of  patrons  and  readers,  even  if  we  can  not  read  it, 
and  there  will  be  more  good  done  on  the  whole,  than  by  a 
smaller  number  of  books.  Besides,  the  only  way  to  meet  the 
armies  of  infidel  and  licentious  books,  is  to  array  against 
them  an  equal  number  of  good  books.  The  book  mania 
which  has  seized  the  public,  must  be  satisfied  in  some  way ; 
and  if  there  are  not  good  books  enough,  and  that  too  in  the 
newest  and  most  popular  style,  to  fill  the  social  and  circulat- 
ing libraries,  and  give  occupation  to  the  millions  of  active 
minds  in  the  country,  their  place  will  be  filled  by  such  books 
as  the  novels  of  Bulwer,  and  the  poems  of  Byron  and  Shelly 
and  Moore.  Messrs.  Key  and  Biddle,  if  they  execute  their 
plan  as  they  have  promised  and  begun,  will  deserve  the  thanks, 
and  receive  the  patronage  of  the  community. — Journal  of 
Humanitij. 

The  first  part  of  Vol.  1,  of  this  periodical  is  before  us.  It 
is  made  up  of  a  most  interesting  Memoir  of  the  eloquent  di- 
vine, Robert  Hall,  and  the  commencement  of  a  History  of  the 
Reformed  Religion  in  France.  It  would  really  seem  that 
knowledge  is  about  to  be  brought  to  every  man's  door,  how- 
ever distant,  and  served  up  to  him  in  the  most  agreeable 
forms  for  a  mere  trifle. — Commercial  Herald. 

We  have  received  the  first  number  of  the  Christian  Li- 
brary, which  contains  an  intensely  interesting  Memoir  of 
Robert  Hall,  by  Olynthus  Gregory.  The  incidents  of  the 
life  of  such  a  man,  in  the  hands  of  such  a  writer,  could  not 
be  otherwise  than  captivating. — Fredericksburg  Arena. 

Judging  from  the  plan  of  the  work,  and  also  from  the 
number  before  us,  we  believe  it  well  calculated  to  disseminate 
the  light  of  the  gospel,  and  we  think  that  every  Christian's 
library  would  be  enriched  by  it.  We  would  particularly  re- 
commend it  to  the  aiinisters  of  our  church,  who,  from  their 


10  NEW   AND 

situation,  being  located  in  the  "  far  west,"  have  not  an  oppor- 
tunity of  procuring  the  many  valuable  books  which  are  issu- 
ing from  the  press  in  Europe  and  middle  and  eastern  stutes. 
By  subscribing  for  this  work,  in  a  few  years,  for  a  comparative 
trifle,  they  may  possess  an  extensive  and  valuable  religious 
library,  calculated  to  impart  to  them  useful  and  important  in- 
formation, which  is  above  all  price;  and  to  give  them  a  per- 
fect knowledge  of  what  is  now  doing  for  the  extension  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom  throughout  the  world,  and  consequently, 
to  keep  them  up  with  the  spirit  and  improvements  of  the 
age. — Nashville  Revivalist. 

The  Christian  Library,  of  which  Messrs.  Key  &  Biddle, 
of  Minor  street,  have  just  published  the  first  part,  is  a  work 
which  will  command  the  respect  and  patronage  of  all  profess- 
ors of  religion,  irrespective  of  sects.  The  Library  is  con- 
ducted with  a  free,  judicious  spirit  of  selection;  and  if  the 
first  number  may  be  deemed  a  fair  specimen,  will  abound 
with  instructive  tales  and  useful  matter.  In  so  good  a  cause, 
the  publishers  deserve  the  hearty  good  will  of  those  for 
whom  they  will  furnish,  at  a  price  singularly  reasonable,  a 
large  amount  of  most  valuable  information,  on  the  most  im- 
portant of  all  subjects. — Philadelphia  Gazette. 

We  beg  leave  to  inform  our  country  friends  that  the  Chris- 
tian Library  continues  to  deserve  the  approbation,  and  to  de- 
mand the  patronage  of  the  rehgious   and  moral  public. — 

American  Sentinel. 

The  plan  of  the  Christian  Library  has  met  the  decided 
approbation  of  the  Clergy  of  various  denominations,  and  as 
the  selections  made  for  it  will  be  exempt  from  all  tincture  of 
sectarianism,  we  think  it  can  not  fail  to  be  acceptable  to  Chris- 
tians of  the  different  persuasions. — Berks  (^  Schuylkill 
Journal. 

The  first  number  of  the  Christian  Library  contains  the 
Memoir  of  that  interesting  divine,  Robert  Hall,  and  is  well 
executed.  It  will  unquestionably  prove  a  valuable  work. — 
Baptist  Mission  (^  Home  Repository  Record. 

The  3d  part  of  vol.  1.  is  before  us,  in  which  we  are  glad 
to  find  a  beginning  of  the  life  of  Cowper,  by  Taylor.  This 
life,  alone,  is  worth  more  than  a  year's  subscription. — Com- 
mercial Herald. 

The  Christian  LiBR.iRY. — We  have  just  received  the 
first  number  of  this  truly  valuable  publication.    From  the 


POPULAR  WORKS.  11 

prospectus,  and  recommendations  which  we  had  seen,  we 
were  prepared  to  think  highly  of  the  work,  but  the  appear- 
ance of  the  first  number  far  exceeds  our  expectations.  It 
contains  the  Memoir  of  Rer.  Robert  Hall,  by  Dr.  Gregory, 
and  commences  a  valuable  work  on  the  "  Reformation  in 
France,''  by  the  Rev.  Edward  Smedley,  of  Cambridge, 
England.  In  the  cheapness,  and  solid  value  of  its  materials, 
this  work  promises  to  surpass  every  thing  of  the  kind  hith- 
erto published.  It  is  truly  gratifying  to  see  the  periodical 
Press  so  efficiently  employed  in  disseminating  substantial 
religious  knowledge,  instead  of  the  light  trash  and  worse 
than  useless  fictions  with  which  it  has  been  hitherto  bur- 
dened. 

We  are  in  earnest  in  commending  this  publication,  and 
sincerely  hope  that  among  all  Christian  people,  it  will  utterly 
supplant  the  whole  tribe  of  periodical  novels,  romances  and 
the  like. 

Among  the  many  recommendations  to  this  work,  the 
Episcopalians  of  Ohio  will  notice  that  of  our  diocesan  ex- 
pressed in  no  very  measured  ierms.-^Gambier  Observer. 

Christian  Library. — The  style  and  appearance,  and,  we 
may  add,  the  contents  of  the  first  number,  which  we  have 
before  us,  can  not  fail  to  meet  the  approbation  of  Evangelical 
Christians  of  every  denomination. —  Southern  Religious 
Telegraph. 

Those  who  have  leisure  for  extensive  reading,  and  are  de- 
termined to  procure  valuable  works  as  they  appear,  will  not 
grudge  nine  or  ten  cents  per  month  to  have  such  a  volume 
brought  to  their  door.  The  mail  is  much  more  usefully  em- 
ploj'ed  in  conveying  the  means  of  solid  reading,  than  in  the 
transportation  of  such  trash  as  abounds  in  political  papers 
and  electioneering  pamphlets.  Papers  and  periodicals  of 
this  description  are  doing  much  to  reform  the  public  taste. 
The  first  number  will  furnish  the  reader  with  Dr.  Gregory's 
Memoir  of  Hall. — Zion's  Advocate,  (^Portland.) 

From  the  specimen  before  us  we  consider  the  Christian 
Library  a  very  cheap  and  valuable  work. —  Christian  Senti- 
nel. 

We  anticipate  a  useful  auxiliary  to  Christianity  in  this 
publication,  and  wish  it  much  suceess. — Christian  .Guar- 
dian. 


12  NEW   AND 

PHILOSOPHY  OF  A  FUTURE  STATE. 
PHILOSOPHY  OF  RELIGION. 
CHRISTIAN  PHILOSOPHER. 

By  Thomas  Dick. 
Philadelphia,  Key  <^  Biddle. 

In  the  first  of  the  works  whose  titles  head  this  article, 
Mr.  Dick  has  endeavoured  to  prove,  that  man  is  an  immortal 
being.  His  arguments  are  drawn  from  various  sources,  and 
he  has  judiciously  availed  himself  of  the  recent  discoveries 
in  science,  in  illustrating  the  connexion  of  intellectual  im- 
provement, with  the  state  of  future  existence. 

Mr.  Dick  has  displayed  in  this  work,  considerable  extent 
of  knowledge,  and  the  industry  manifested  in  collecting  and 
arranging  his  numerous  and  diversified  materials,  will  meet 
with  the  decided  approbation  of  every  intelligent  Christian. 

The  Philosophy  of  Religion  is  a  production  of  no  less 
value  than  the  preceding,  it  is  an  attempt  by  the  pious  and 
indefatigable  author,  to  illustrate  the  moral  being  of  the  uni- 
verse, and  to  delineate  the  obligations  of  man  to  God — to 
show  how  reasonable  and  excellent  the  precepts  of  revealed  reli- 
gion are,  and  how  well  they  are  adapted  to  the  condition  of  man, 
how  certainly  their  practical  adoption  is  productive  of  peace 
and  joy,  and  how  bright  under  all  circumstances  are  the 
hopes,  and  soothing  the  consolations  of  the  Christian.  It  is 
an  excellent  book,  and  may  be  read  with  advantage,  by  ail 
sects  of  Christians. 

The  Christian  Philosopher,  which  next  claims  our  atten- 
tion, is  to  the  philosophic  inquirer  more  interesting  than 
either  of  the  preceding  two.  It  is  a  .scientific  investigation 
into  the  existence  and  attributes  of  a  great  first  cause,  and 
the  author  has  evidently  come  to  his  subject  well  prepared, 
securely  assured,  and  ready  to  give  a  reasonable  answer  to 
the  sceptical  questioner  for  the  hope  that  is  within  him.  The 
author  has  successfully  combated  the  ridiculous  ideas  of  those 
zealous  but  ignorant  christians  who  reject  all  human  know- 
ledge as  vain  and  useless.  He  has  shown  that  the  study 
and  contemplation  of  the  laws  of  the  natural  world,  elevate 
the  mind  in  its  conceptions  of  the  power,  wisdom  and  good- 
ness of  God,  and  that  every  advance  in  knowledge,  every 
discovery  in  science,  tends  to  confirm  our  faith,  exalt  our 
views  and  refine  our  dispositions,  and  thus  improve  us  in 
moral  and  religious  feehngs  and  principles. 

Mr.  Dick  very  justly  observes  that  "the  man  who  would 


POPULAR  WORKS.  13 

discard  the  efforts  of  the  human  intellect,  and  the  science  of 
Nature  from  Religion,  forgets — that  He  who  is  the  author 
of  human  redemption  is  also  the  Creator  and  governor  of 
the  whole  system  of  the  material  universe — that  it  is  one  end 
of  that  moral  renovation  which  the  Gospel  effects,  to  qualify 
us  for  contemplating  aright  the  displays  of  Divine  Perfection 
which  the  works  of  creation  exhibit,  that  the  visible  works 
of  God  are  the  principal  medium  by  which  he  displays  the 
attributes  of  this  nature  to  intelligent  beings — that  the  study 
and  contemplation  of  these  works  employ  the  faculties  of  in- 
telligences of  a  superior  order — that  man,  had  he  remained 
in  primeval  innocence,  would  have  been  chiefly  employed  in 
Buch  contemplations — that  it  is  one  main  design  of  divine  re- 
velation to  illustrate  the  operations  of  Providence,  and  the 
agency  of  God  in  the  formation  and  preservation  of  all  things — 
and  that  the  scriptures  are  full  of  sublime  descriptions  of  the 
visible  creation,  and  of  interesting  references  to  thevarious  ob- 
jects which  adorn  the  scenery  of  nature.  In  these  opinions  we 
entirely  concur,  and  we  are  certain  that  every  believer  in  the 
Gospel  of  Christ,  will  have  his  soul  expanded,  his  energies 
awakened,  and  all  his  faculties  and  powers  enlarged  by  in- 
vestigating the  laws  of  the  Universe.  God  is  every  where; 
we  perceive  his  wisdom  in  the  organization  of  a  man,  and 
a  tree;  every  animal  on  earth,  all  objects  in  nature,  organized 
or  unorganized,  exhibit  the  power,  the  skill,  emd  the  benevo- 
lence of  the  Creator. 

Mr.  Dick's  book  contains  many  important  facts  in  relation 
to  the  laws  of  matter  and  motion,  illustrated  by  familiar  ex- 
positions, and  well  adapted  to  the  comprehension  of  the  gen- 
eral reader.  We  have  rarely  perused  a  work  with  more 
pleasure  and  profit,  and  we  are  confident  that  it  will  prove 
a  valuable  and  useful  addition  to  every  family  hbrary.  To 
the  young  divine  just  commencing  his  ministerial  labours,  it 
will  be  of  much  benefit,  it  will  supply  him  with  topics  for  ex- 
emplification, upon  which  he  can  expatiate  with  the  fervour 
and  eloquence  of  genius,  and  all  the  enthusiasm  of  a  finer, 
but  rational  and  ardent  Christian. 

In  dismissing  these  productions  of  Mr.  Dick,  we  cordially 
commend  them  to  the  attention  of  our  readers. 

EXAMPLE;  OR  FAMILY  SCENES.— This  is  one 
of  those  useful  and  truly  moral  publications  which  can  not 
fail  to  be  read  with  delight  by  the  youth  of  both  sexes,  who, 
as  their  hearts  expand,  and  they  advance  in  years,  have  need 
of  some  instructor  to  point  out  the  path  they  should  follow 
for  their  future  happiness.  The  author  has  been  triumphantly 
3 


14  NEW  AND 

successful  in  attaining  these  laudable  objects  in  this  interes- 
ting publication."      Weekly   Times. 

The  form  of  a  domestic  story  is  here  judiciously  selected 
for  imparting  a  purity  of  religious  feeling  to  juvenile  readers; 
and  the  purpose  as  fully  answered.  Adults  may  also  read  this 
interesting  volume  with  much  benefit.     United  Kingdom. 

FOX'S  BOOK  OF  MARTYRS.  A  Universal  His- 
tory of  Christian  Martyrdom,  from  the  Birth  of  our  Blessed 
Saviour  to  the  latest  Periods  of  Persecution.  Originally  com- 
posed by  the  Rev.  John  Fox,  A.  M.,  and  now  corrected 
throughout;  with  copious  and  important  additions  relative  to 
the  Recent  Persecutions  in  the  south  of  France.  In  2  vols. 
8vo.,  beautifully  printed  on  fine  and  remarkably  strong  pa- 
per. Being  the  only  complete  and  unmutilated  edition  of 
this  work  ever  presented  to  the  American  Public.  Embel- 
lished with  a  Portrait  of  the  venerable  Fox,  and  Sixty  En- 
gravings illustrative  of  the  suffering  Martyrs  in  all  ages  of 
the  world. 

"  We  commend  the  enterprise  of  the  publishers,  which  has 
induced  them  to  incur  the  heavy  expense  requisite  for  the  pro- 
duction of  this  costly  and  elegant  book.  They  have  thereby 
rendered  a  service  to  the  cause  of  true  Christianity;  and  we 
can  not  doubt  that  they  will  meet  with  ample  remuneration 
in  the  approbation  of  the  public.  An  additional  recommen- 
dation is  furnished  in  the  extreme  lowness  of  the  price, 
thereby  rendering  the  book  accessible  to  the  pocket  of  every 
class  of  Christians.  It  is  a  work  of  intense  interest;  and 
whether  as  a  volume  of  Ecclesiastical  History,  or  for  occa- 
sional perusal,  richly  merits  a  place  on  the  shelves  of  every 
family  library."     Christian  Advocate. 

GUY  ON  ASTRONOMY,  AND  AN  ABRIDGE- 
MENT OF  KEITH  ON  THE  GLOBES,  2  volumes 
in  1,  18mo. 

A  school  book  of  this  sort  has  long  been  a  desideratum  in 
our  seminaries.  It  comprises  a  popular  Treatise  on  Astrono- 
my ;  together  with  the  admirably  clear  definitions,  and  nearly 
all  the  problems  of  Keith.  The  whole  is  contained  in  a  neat 
volume,  cind  afforded  at  a  very  low  price.    The  publishers 


POPULAR   WORKS.  15 

would  particularly  call  the  attention  of  parents  and  teachers 
to  the  above  work. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  in  1  vol. 
12mo.  By  Thomas  Hughs.  Embellished  with  a  great 
number  of  beautiful  wood  cuts. 

The  publishers  announce  this  work  with  the  hightest  feel- 
ings of  satisfaction.  The  three  objects  they  have  had  in  view 
are  cheapness,  beauty  of  embellishment,  and  novelty  of  mat- 
ter, combined  with  accuracy  of  research.  The  name  of  the 
author  (who  is  already  favourably  known  by  several  previous 
works  for  schools)  is  a  sufficient  guarantee  of  the  manner  in 
which  this  book  will  be  executed.  It  will  not  be  uninteresting 
to  state  that  the  sources  from  which  some  of  the  materials  of 
this  school  book  are  derived,  are  inaccessible  to  any  except 
the  present  writer;  whose  business  it  has  also  been  to  attempt 
the  attainment  of  that  which  has  hitherto  been  overlooked, 
as  of  no  importance,  viz:  elegance  of  style,  which  may  in- 
terest at  the  same  time  that  it  will  aid  in  forming  the  taste  of 
the  youthful  reader. 

A  HARMONY  OF  THE  FOUR  GOSPELS. 
Founded  on  the  Arrangement  of  the  Harmonia  Evangelica, 
by  the  Rev.  Edward  Greswell.  With  the  Practical  Reflec- 
tions of  Dr.  Doddridge.  Designed  for  the  use  of  Families 
and  Schools,  and  for  Private  Edification.  By  the  Rev. 
E.  Bickersteth,  Rector  of  Wolton,  Herts." 

A  beautiful  duodecimo  of  about  four  hundred  pages ;  and 
one  of  the  best  books  which  has  appeared  for  many  years, 
with  respect  to  personal  and  domestic  edification.  It  is  next 
to  impossible  to  read  the  ordinary  Harmonies.  The  current 
of  the  narrative  is  broken  by  constant  interruptions.  In  this, 
we  have  in  convenient  sections,  the  four  Gospel  histories, 
made  up  into  one,  in  proper  order,  in  the  words  of  the  com- 
mon English  translation.  The  devotional  notes  of  Dodd- 
ridge are  better  than  any  we  have  seen  for  reading  in  the 
closet  or  at  family  worship.  The  name  of  Bickersteth,  pre- 
fixed to  a  book,  is  enough  to  show  that  it  is  written  simply  to 
serve  the  cause  of  Christ.      The  Presbyterian. 

Messrs.  Key  &Biddleof  this  city,  have  published  abeautiful 
edtion  of  a  popular  Harmony  of  the  Four  Gospels.  A  book  giv- 
ing a  connected  and  chronological  view  of  the  History  of  our 
Saviour,  without  an  array  of  critical  apparatus  which  is  useless 
and  repulsive  to  the  common  reader,  has  long  been  a  desider- 


16  NEW  AND 

atum  in  our  religious  literature.  It  is  now  supplied  by  the 
labours  of  Mr.  Bickersteth,  who  is  well  known  as  an  able, 

i'udicious  and  pious  writer.  Each  section  of  the  text  is  fol- 
owed  by  brief  practical  reflections,  from  the  pen  of  Dr. 
Doddridge.  The  volume  is  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  for 
which  it  was  designed  by  the  author. — "  The  use  of  families 
and  schools,  and  for  private  edification."     Phila.   Gaz. 

The  religious  community  will  take  delight  in  reading  a 
work  just  published,  entitled  "A  Harmony  of  the  Four 
Gospels."  Scarcely  any  thing  has  so  much  puzzled  a  certain 
order  of  minds,  as  the  apparent  disagreement  of  parts  of  the 
New  Testament.  Nothing  so  much  weakens  Christian 
faith  as  an  impression  of  this  sort — whilst  nothing  tends 
more  directly  to  confirm  and  strengthen  it,  than  evidence  of 
the  entire  oneness,  and  harmony  of  the  Gospels. —  Com. 
Herald. 

THE  HUMOURIST'S  OWN  BOOK.  A  cabinet  of 
original  and  selected  anecdotes,  bon  mots,  sports  of  fancy,  and 
traits  of  character ;  intended  to  furnish  occasion  for  reflec- 
tion as  well  as  mirth.  By  the  author  of  the  Young  Man's 
Own  Book,  &c. 

It  is  good  to  be  pleased ;  and  the  book  which  can  chase  a 
care,  or  enliven  a  brow,  provided  it  be  pure,  is  worthy  of 
honest  recommendation.  Such  is  the  character  of  the  volume 
entitled  The  Humourist's  Own  Book,  recently  published 
by  Messrs.  Key  and  Biddle.  The  work  is  made  of  good 
things,  carefully  culled ;  and  the  man  who  can  run  over  them 
all,  without  a  laugh  or  a  smile,  is  fit  for  treason. — Phila. 
Gazette. 

Ha !  ye  merry  dogs,  if  you  want  to  shake  your  sides  with 
laughter  buy  this  book,  for  here  you  have  the  most  delightful 
and  varied  collection  of  bon  mots,  anecdotes,  &c.,  that  we 
have  ever  seen. — And  ye !  ye!  melancholic,  hypochondriacal 
beings,  whose  countenances  are  always  demure — imagina- 
tions always  gloomy,  and  whose  risible  muscles  are  never 
excited  to  a  smile,  to  say  nothing  of  a  laugh,  get  the  book, 
and  your  souls  will  be  gladdened  with  joy — your  hearts  will 
swell  with  rapture,  and  if  you  don't  hold  your  sides  tight, 
you'll  run  the  risk  of  bursting  them  with  laughter. 

It  is  a  charming  little  work,  and  the  collections  have  been 
made  with  much  care  and  judgment. — Saturday  Courier. 

Messrs.  Key  &  Biddle  have  published  a  neat  little  velum* 


POPULAR   WORKS.  17 

entitled,  The  Humourist's  Own  Book.     It  is  a  feast  of  fat 

things. —  United  States  Gazette. 

This  is  a  neat  volume  of  original  and  selected  anecdotes, 
bon  mots,  &c.  They  are  well  chosen,  and  in  every  respect 
unexceptionable,  fit  for  the  perusal  of  the  most  delicate  and 
fastidious. — Salt-  American  and  Com.  Advertiser. 

THE  HAPPINESS  OF  THE  BLESSED,  consid- 
ered as  to  the  particulars  of  their  state;  their  recognition  of 
each  other  in  that  state;  audits  difference  of  degrees.  To 
which  are  added,  Musings  on  the  Church  and  her  services. 
By  Richard  Mant,  D.  D.  M.  R.  I.  A.  Lord  Bishop  of  Down 
and  Connor. 

The  design  of  the  Rev.  author  in  this  production,  is  to 
adduce  from  scriptural  authority,  the  most  satisfactory  evi- 
dence, of  the  happiness  and  joy  of  those  who  by  faith  follow 
Christ,  and  who  in  the  exercise  of  those  virtues  required  by 
the  Gospel,  are  emphatically  denominated  the  children  of 
God.  The  author  has  touched  upon  several  topics  connected 
with  the  subject,  which  must  aflbrd  much  consolation  to  the 
Christian,  wlio  from  the  very  nature  of  his  organization,  is 
liable  to  doubts  and  fearful  forebodings  as  to  the  state  of  his 
heart  and  the  grounds  of  his  faith. 

Christian  hope,  confidence,  and  charity,  are  stamped  upon 
every  page,  and  the  writer  deserves  well  of  the  Christian 
inquirer.  Tor  the  industry  which  he  has  displayed  in  collecting 
and  arranging  so  many  important  and  valuable  arguments  in 
favour  of  tlie  glorious  and  resplendent  state  of  the  faithful  and 
humble  disciple  of  Jesus. 

In  this  world,  mankind  have  need  of  consolation — of  the 
cup  of  sorrow  all  must  drink — happiness  is  a  phantom,  a 
meteor,  beautiful  and  bright,  always  alluring  us  by  its  glow — 
forever  within  our  reach,  but  eternally  eluding  our  grasp — 
but  this  state  of  things  was  designed  by  our  Creator  for  our 
benefit — it  was  intended  to  withdraw  our  affections  from  the 
shadowy  and  unsubstantial  pleasures  of  the  world,  to  the 
Father  of  all  in  Heaven,  and  to  prepare  by  discipline  and  zeal, 
for  a  state,  beyond  tlie  grave,  of  felicity,  which  eye  hath  not 
seen,  ear  hath  not  lieard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into  the 
heart  of  man  to  conceive  of  To  our  readers  we  cheerfully 
commend  this  delightful  volume,  confident  that  by  its  perusal 
the  faith  of  the  doubtful  will  be  confirmed,  and  the  anticipa- 
tive  hope  of  the  confident  increased.  Christian's  Magazine. 
2* 


18  NEW   AND 

We  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  introducing  to  onr 
readers  this  excellent  little  book,  to  which  the  deeply  interest- 
ing nature  of  the  subject  and  the  well  earned  reputation  of 
the  Right  Rev.  author  will  secure  no  inconsiderable  portion 
of  attention.  The  vast  importance  of  the  topics  herein  treated, 
and  the  valuable  practical  eflects  they  may  assist  in  producing, 
induce  us  to  call  thus  early  the  public  attention  to  a  work, 
small  indeed  in  size,  but  which  is  calculated  not  a  little  to  in- 
form all  candid  and  serious  inquirers  into  a  subject  hitherto 
involved  in  much  obscurity,  but  not  a  little  elucidated  by  the 
present  author. —  Gentleman's  Magazine, 

All  which  are  entitled  to  much  commendation,  as  tending 
to  familiarize  the  young  student  with  the  exact  phraseology 
of  the  New  Testament,  and  calculated  to  recall  it,  in  an 
agreeable  way,  to  the  memory  of  the  more  advanced  Scho- 
lar.— Liit.  Gazette. 

It  possesses  much  substantive  merit,  and  is  the  best  Key 
to  Chronology  of  the  Gospel  History  we  have  met  with. — 
AthencBum. 

We  have  looked  over,  with  great  pleasure,  a  neat  little 
volume  of  188  pages,  just  published  by  Key  &  Biddle,  of  this 
City,  bearing  the  title  of  "  The  Happiness  of  the  Blessed." 
It  is  divided  into  four  chapters,  and  these  chapters  into  sec- 
tions— each  section  being  confined  to  the  particular  subject 
designated  in  it.  We  are  much  pleased  with  the  entire 
work — but  more  particularly  with  the  discussion  on  the 
probability  of  the  blessed  recognizing  each  other,  in  the  hea- 
venly world.  Cowper,  the  poet,  we  remember,  reasons  in  a 
couple  of  his  letters  most  dehghtfully  on  the  subject. 

We  cordially  recommend  this  little  work.  Bishop  Mant, 
the  author,  has  opened  a  spring  in  it,  whence  pure  and 
wholesome  waters  will  long  flow,  to  refresh  and  benefit  the 
world. —  Commercial  Herald. 

The  Happiness  of  the  Blessed,  by  Dr  Mant,  Bishop  of 
Down  and  Connor. — Published  by  Key  &  Biddle.  This 
work  is  got  up  with  the  usual  elegance  of  those  enterprising 
publishers.  It  is  a  work  of  considerable  metaphysical  re- 
search; is  written  in  a  style  of  animated  piety,  and  whether 
to  the  professing  Christian  or  the  general  reader,  will  readily 
repay  a  perusal. — Daily  Chronicle. 

JOURNAL  OF  A  NOBLEMAN;— Being  a  narrative 

of  his  residence  at  Vienna,  during  Congress. 

The  author  is  quite  spltitetl  in  his  rei»arkB  on  occur- 


POPULAR   WORKS.  19 

rences,  and  his  sketches  of  character  are  picturesque  and 
amusinji.  We  commend  this  volume  to  our  readers  as  a  very 
entertaining  production. — Daily  Intelligencer. 

We  presume  no  one  could  take  up  this  little  volume  and 
dip  into  it,  without  feeling  regret  at  heing  obliged  by  any 
cause  to  put  it  dowrn  before  it  was  read.  The  style  is  fine, 
as  are  the  descriptions,  the  persons  introduced,  together  with 
the  anecdotes,  and  in  general,  the  entire  sketching  is  by  the 
hand  of  a  master.  Every  thing  appears  natural — there  is  no 
affectation  of  learning — no  overstraining — no  departure  from 
■what  one  would  expect  to  see  and  hear — all  is  easy — all 
graceful." — Commercial  Herald. 

The  volume  is  a  beautiful  one;  and  the  matter  of  it,  judg- 
ing from  more  than  a  cursory  perusal,  is  well  worthy  a  re- 
commendation, as  offering  a  fair  insight  into  the  doings  and 
follies  of  the  great,  in  one  of  the  celebrated  capitals  of  Eu- 
rope.— Sat.  Eve.  Post. 

LIFE  OF  A  SAILOR— By  a  Captain  in  the  Navy. 
Two  very  interesting  volumes. —  U.  S.  Gaz. 

"It  is  from  the  pen  of  Captain  Chamier,  and  contains  many 
powerful  sketches. — PenrVa.  Inquirer. 

"  The  Sailor,  who  has  thus  given  his  life  to  the  world, 
spins  as  clever  a  yarn  as  any  landsman  or  marine  would  like 
to  see  recorded.  He  seems  to  have  been  almost  every  where 
and  to  have  seen  nearly  every  body;  and  he  describes  with 
Buch  earnestness  and  perspicuity,  that  you  are  sure  he  must 
have  depicted  things  just  as  he  found  them — penning  his  re- 
cord when  his  recollections  were  fresh,  and  preserving  through- 
out, an  aim  to  be  graphic  and  impressive.  He  has  succeed- 
ed fully,  in  his  effort;  and  all  who  procure  his  "log,"  will 
find  it  as  exciting  a  piece  of  work,  as  they  ever  had  the  felicity 
to  meet  with.. —  Phil.  Gaz. 

Key  &  BiDDLE,  Philadelphia,  have  published  The  Life 
OF  A  Sailor,  by  Captain  Frederick  Chamier,  R.  N.  in  2 
vols.  12  mo.  neatly  bound  in  embossed  cloth. 

Most  various  and  amusing  volumes,  embodying  the  real 
Adventures  of  a  Captain  of  the  Navy. — Lit.  Gaz. 

Captain  Chamier  has  had  a  full  share  of  adventure  and 
undoubtedly  possesses  a  facility  of  style,  and  a  playful  man- 
ner. If  there  ever  was  a  story  to  excite  sympathy,  to  interest 
the  feelings,  and  awaken  the  imagination  of  the  reading 


20  NEW   AND 

world,  it  is  the  story  of  Sharks  in  this  Autobiography.— 

Spectator. 

LIVES  OF  BANDITTI  AND  ROBBERS— By  C. 
Macfarland,  Esq.,  together  with  a  sketch  of  the  Lives  of 
BLACKBEARD,  and  CAPTAIN  KID,  by  the  Ame- 
rican editor. 

This  work  is  deeply  interesting  throughout ;  it  is  full  of 
anecdote,  bold  adventure,  daring  enterprise,  and  the  narra- 
tive is  clear  and  vigorous — and  such  are  the  characters  of 
these  reckless  outcasts  of  society  and  the  interest  in  which 
their  lives  are  invested,  that  we  commend  it  to  our  readers,  con- 
fident that  they  will  be  highly  entertained. — Sat.  Cour. 

These  lives,  and  indeed  the  whole  volume,  are  of  the 
deepest  interest — there  is  nothing  in  this  edition  which  would 
exclude  it  from  the  eyes  of  the  ladies,  some  improper  remarks 
and  a  very  few  uninteresting  details,  having  been  excluded, 
which  are  more  than  compensated  for,  even  as  regards  quan- 
tity of  reading,  by  the  addition  made  by  the  American  Edi- 
tor. The  volume  itself  is  one  of  the  neatest  we  have  lately 
seen,  having  in  fact  the  appearance  of  an  English  Edition — 
it  is  on  very  fine  white  paper,  and  the  impression  of  the  type 
clear  and  distinct. — Saturday  Evening  Post. 

Many  of  the  stories  in  tliis  volume  are  exceedingly  inter- 
esting.— Nat.  Gaz. 

We  have  before  us  Lives  of  Banditti  and  Robbers,  in 
one  volume,  including  the  lives  of  Blackbeard  and  Captain 
Kidd,  prepared  for  the  American  Edition.  These  lives,  and 
indeed  the  whole  volume  are  of  the  deepest  interest. —  U.  S. 

Gazette. 

The  dangers,  hardships,  and  reckless  daring  of  these 
lawless  depredators,  often  impart  an  intense  interest  to  the 
relation  of  their  deeds,  and  this  interest  is  not  unfrequently 
increased,  by  their  adding  generosity  to  heroism. — N.  Y. 

Com.  Advertiser. 

LEGENDS  OF  THE  WEST— By  James  Hall,  se- 

cond  edition,  containing  the  following  beautifal  told  tales: 

The  Backwoodsman  The  Intestate 

The  Divining  Rod  Michael  De  Lancey 

The  Seventh  Son  The  Emigrants 

The  Missionaries  The  Indian  Hater 


POPULAR   WORKS.  21 

A  Legend  of  Carondelet      The  Isle  of  the  Yellow  Sands 

The  Barrackmaster's  Daughter. 

The  Indian  Wife's  Lament. 

We  are  glad  to  see  a  new  edition  of  these  well  told  tales 
of  Judge  Hail,  has  recently  been  published. — Boston  Eve. 

Gaztite. 

The  deserved  popularity  of  these  tales  of  Judge  Hall, 
have  secured  to  it  the  publication  of  a  second  edition.  His 
sketches  are  admirably  drawn,  and  his  personal  familiarity 
with  scenery  and  life  in  the  West  have  furnished  him  with 
incidents  of  peculiar  interest,  greatly  increased  by  felicitous 
description. — A'.  Y.  Com.  Advertiser. 

A  second  edition  of  Legends  of  the  West  has  just  been 
published;  a  work  to  which  we  have  before  alluded  in  de- 
served praise.  The  favour  which  the  work  has  found  with 
the  public,  may  be  seen  in  the  demand  for  its  repetition.  It 
deserves,  in  every  respect,  the  reception  it  has  met  with. — 
Sat.  Eve.  Post. 

Legends  OF  THE  West.     By  James  Hall. 

Philadelphia.     Key  tf*  Biddle. 

The  rapid  sale  of  the  first,  has  created  a  demand  for  a  se- 
cond edition  of  the  work,  whose  title  heads  this  article. 

The  "Legends"  comprise  twelve  articles,  one  of  which 
is  poetic.  The  scenes  of  these  tales  are  all  located  in  the 
,,  far,  far  West,"  and  the  characters  are  taken  from  the  abo- 
rigines and  early  emigrants.  The  difficulties  and  dangers 
which  the  first  settlers  had  to  undergo,  ere  they  were  esta- 
blished in  security,  are  depicted  in  glowing  colours,  and  with 
a  master  hand. 

The  rude  and  savage  warfare  of  the  Indians,  the  secret 
ambuscade,  the  midnight  slaughter,  the  conflagration  of  the 
log  hut  in  the  prairie  and  forest,  the  shrieks  of  consuming 
women  and  children,  are  presented  to  our  minds  by  the  au- 
thor in  vivid  and  impressive  language.  These  tales  possess 
much  interest,  as  they  are  founded  in  fact,  and  are  illustra- 
tive of  the  habits  of  the  Indian,  and  the  life  of  the  hunter. 
As  a  writer.  Judge  Hall  is  more  American  than  any  other 
we  possess;  his  scenes  are  American;  his  characters  are  Ame- 
rican, and  his  language  is  American.  His  personages  are 
invested  with  an  individuality  which  can  not  be  mistaken, 
and  his  conceptions  and  illustrations  are  drawn  from  the 
great  store  house  of  nature. — Daily  Intelligencer. 


2S  NEW    AND 

LIFE  OF  WILLIAM  COWPER,  Esa.— Compiled 
from  his  correspondence  and  other  authenticated  sources  of 
information,  containing  remarks  on  his  writings,  and  on  the 
pecuUarities  of  his  interesting  character,  never  before  pub- 
lished.    By  Thomas  Taylor. 

Extract  from  the  Preface. 

Many  Lives  of  Cowper  have  already  been  published. 
Why  then,  it  may  be  asked,  add  to  their  number?  Simply 
because  in  the  opinion  of  competent  judges,  no  memoir  of  him 
has  yet  appeared  that  gives  a  full,  fair,  and  unbiassed  view 
of  his  character. 

It  is  remarked  by  Dr.  Johnson,  the  poet's  kinsman,  in  his 
preface  to  the  two  volumes  of  Cowper's  Private  Correspon- 
dence, "  that  Mr.  Haley  omitted  the  insertion  of  several 
interesting  letters  in  his  excellent  Life  of  the  poet  out  of 
kindness  to  his  readers."  In  doing  this,  however  amiable 
and  considerate  as  his  caution  must  appear,  the  gloominess 
which  he  has  taken  from  the  mind  of  Cowper,  has  the  effect 
of  involving  his  character  in  obscurity. 

In  alluding  to  these  suppressed  letters,  the  late  highly  es- 
teemed Leigh  Richmond  once  emphatically  remarked — 
"Cowper's  character  will  never  be  clearly  and  satisfactorily 
understood  without  them,  and  should  be  permitted  to  exist 
for  the  demonstration  of  the  case.  I  know  the  importance 
of  it  from  numerous  conversations  I  have  had,  both  in  Eng- 
land and  Scotland,  on  this  subject.  Persons  of  truly  reli- 
gious principles,  as  well  as  those  of  little  or  no  religion  at 
all,  have  greatly  erred  in  their  estimate  of  this  great  and 
good  man." 

In  this  work  all  that  is  necessary  and  much  that  is  painful 
to  know,  is  told  of  Cowper,  and  well  told  too. — His  life  was 
much  wanted,  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  it  will  be  univer- 
sally read  and  become,  like  the  poems  of  the  man  it  com- 
memorates, a  standard  work.  Mr.  Taylor  has  our  hearty 
thanks  for  having  produced  this  work,  and  our  commenda- 
tions no  less  hearty  for  having  produced  it  so  well. — Metro- 
politan. 

LETTERS  TO  AN  ANXIOUS  INaUIRER,  DE- 
SIGNED TO  RELIEVE  THE  DIFFICULTIES  OF 
A  FRIEND,  UNDER  SERIOUS  IMPRESSIONS, 
Bv  T.  Carlton  Henry,  D.  D.  late  Pastor  of  the  Second 


POPULAR   WORKS.  23 

Presbyterian  Church,  Charleston,  S.  C.  With  an  Intro- 
ductory Essay,  (in  which  is  presented  Dr.  Henry's  Preface  to 
his  Letters,  and  his  Life,  by  a  friend.)  By  G.  T.  Bedell, 
D.  D.  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Philadelphia. 

MEMOIRS    OF     HORTENSE    BEAUHARNAIS, 

DUCHESS  OF  ST.  LEU  AND  EX-UUEEN  OF 

HOLLAND. 

This  is  an  interesting  account  of  a  conspicuous  character. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Josephine  Beauharnais,  alias,  or  af- 
terwards, Josephine  Buonaparte,  former  wife  of  Napoleon  of 
France  ;  and  she  became  the  wife  of  Louis  Buonaparte,  the 
ex-king  of  Holland.  Of  those  who  have  figured  as  large  on 
the  great  theatre  of  life,  at  one  of  the  most  memorable  eras 
in  history,  many  interesting  anecdotes  are  given.  We  can 
safely  recommend  this  work  to  the  reading  public. — Ameri- 
can Sentinel. 

No  one  of  all  those  distinguished  personages  who  occupied 
80  large  a  space  in  the  world's  eye,  from  their  connexion  with 
Napoleon,  presents  a  story  of  deeper  interest  than  the  amia- 
ble and  accomplished  subject  of  these  memoirs.  Possessing 
all  the  grace  and  fascination  of  manner,  which  so  eminently 
characterized  her  mother  the  Empress  Josephine,  she  has  a 
strength  and  cultivation  of  intellect ;  an  extent  and  variety  of 
knowledge;  and  a  philosophic  fortitude  which  the  empress 
never  could  boast.  Unhappy  in  her  marriage,  she  was  yet 
a  devoted  wife  and  fond  mother;  and  though  gifted  with 
every  quality  to  adorn  royalty,  she  willingly  withdrew  to  the 
shades  of  private  life,  resigning  the  crown  she  had  embellished 
without  a  murmur. 

Many  of  the  details  of  this  work  will  be  found  deeply  inter- 
esting, and  the  notes  are  copious  and  instructing.  The 
translator  has  faithfully  preserved  the  spirit  of  his  original. — 
Saturday  Courier. 

Sometime  ago  we  read  this  little  volume  in  French,  and 
found  it  strongly  attractive.  We  regard  it  as  an  autobiog- 
raphy in  great  part.  The  historical  as  well  as  the  personal 
details  reward  attention. — National  Gazette. 

No  one  of  all  those  distinguished  personages  who  occupied 
BO  large  a  space  in  the  world's  eye,  from  their  connexion  with 
Napoleon,  presents  a  story  of  deeper  interest,  than  the  amia- 


24  NEW   AND 

ble  and  accomplished  subject  of  these  memoirs.  "  Possessing 
all  the  grace  and  fascination  of  manner,  which  so  eminently 
characterized  her  mother,  the  Empress  Josephine,  she  has  a 
strength  and  cultivation  of  intellect,  an  extent  and  variety 
of  knowledge,  and  a  philosophic  fortitude,  which  the  empresa  ' 
never  could  boast.  Unhappy  in  her  marriage,  she  was  yet 
a  devoted  wife  and  fond  mother;  and  though  gifted  with 
every  quality  to  adorn  royalty,  she  willingly  withdrew  to  the 
shades  of  private  life,  resigning  the  crown  she  had  embellished 
without  a  murmur."  The  work  belongs  to  the  many  me- 
moranda we  have  of  that  extraordinary  man,  whose  family 
history  is  not  complete  without  it. — American  Traveller. 

We  have  never  taken  up  a  book  containing  anecdotes  of  the 
eventful  period  of  which  this  little  volume  treats,  and  especi- 
ally of  the  great  actors  in  that  wonderful  drama,  without  ex- 
periencing some  of  the  sensations  which  attend  upon  the 
sight  of  some  mighty  ruin ;  or  beholding  the  place  in  the 
ocean  where  fleets  and  armies  have  been  swallowed  up.  Some- 
times they  appear  to  us  like  those  distant  and  dark  clouds, 
whose  edges  are  fringed  with  the  red  light  of  the  setting  sun, 
and  in  whose  bosom  is  seen  to  struggle  the  pent  up  lightning. 
This  work  will  be  read,  we  are  certain,  with  great  interest. — 
Commercial  Herald. 

NEW  AMERICAN  SPEAKER,  being  an  entirely 
new  selection  of  Speeches,  Dialogues,  and  Poetry,  for  the 
use  of  Schools.  By  Thomas  Hughs,  Compiler  of  the  Uni- 
versal Class  Book  and  the  American  Popular  Reader. 

A  rich  collection  of  pieces  from  some  of  the  first  writers 
in  the  English  language,  furnishing  a  most  abundant  supply 
of  exercises  in  elocution  and  declamation.  It  should  find  ad- 
mission into  every  academy,  college,  and  high  school,  where 
it  is  an  object  to  form  the  taste,  as  well  as  teach  the  art  of 
speaking. 

American  Speaker. — A  volume  with  this  title,  com- 
prising upwards  of  two  hundred  pages,  has  just  been  issued 
by  Messrs.  Key  &  Biddle,  of  this  city.  It  has  been  com- 
piled by  Thomas  Hughs,  Esq.,  the  compiler  of  the  '  Univer- 
sal Class  Book'  and  the  '  American  Popular  Reader,'  and  is 
designed  for  the  use  of  schools.  It  embraces  a  selection  oi 
speeches^  dialogues  and  poetry,  made  up  with  great  discern- 


POPULAR   WORKS.  25 

ment,  we  think,  from  the  best  authors,  foreign  and  domestic, 
ancient  and  modern.  Mr.  Hughs  is  well  calculated  to  ren- 
der such  a  book  valuable,  and  from  the  perusal  we  have  given 
many  of  the  articles,  we  should  suppose  this  '  Speaker'  would 
soon  find  a  place  in  most  of  our  public  seminaries. 

Among  the  American  writers,  whose  productions  have 
been  introduced  into  this  volume,  we  observe  with  pleasure 
the  names  of  Hopkinson,  Brown,  Canning,  Payne,  Web- 
ster, Everett,  Ames,  Clay,  Randolph,  Halleck,  Bryant, 
Adams,  and  others.  We  shall  enrich  our  first  page  with  ex- 
tracts from  it  in  a  day  or  two,  and  take  pleasure  in  commend- 
ing it  to  those  having  charge  of  our  public  and  private 
schools. — Pennsylvania  Inquirer. 

IRISH  ELOaUENCE.— The  Speeches  of  the  cele- 
brated Irish  Orators,  Phillips,  Curran,  and  Grattan  ;  to 
which  is  added,  the  Powerful  Appeal  of  Robert  Emmett, 
at  the  close  of  his  trial  for  high  treason.     In  1  vol.  8vo. 

The  above  work  forms  a  complete  and  unique  school  of 
Irish  oratory.  To  every  member  of  the  bar,  to  every  clergy- 
man, to  every  aspirant  to  political  influence  and  admission 
into  the  legislative  halls  of  his  country,  this  practical  text 
book  of  eloquence  will  be  an  honoured  manual ;  and  scarcely 
less  does  it  recommend  itself  to  every  lover  of  literature,  and 
each  promoter  of  his  country's  good,  who  will  both  be  re- 
warded for  the  purchase,  the  one  by  its  high  literary  merits, 
and  the  other  in  the  glowing  pictures  it  presents  to  him  of  per- 
sonal sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  public  weal. —  United  States 
Gazette. 

The  Speeches  of  Phillips,  Curran,  Grattan,  and  Emmett, 
have  been  published  in  a  neat  octavo  volume,  by  Key  &  Bid- 
die,  of  this  city. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  us  to  say  any  thing  as  to  the  merit  of 
these  splendid  displays  of  eloquence,  which  have  stamped  an 
immortality  on  the  above  named  orators.  Their  merits  are 
well  known,  and  wherever  these  speeches  have  been  read, 
they  have  been  admired. 

The  volume  is  neatly  "  got  up,"  the  paper  is  good,  the  type 
is  clear,  bold  and  legible,  and  the  binding  is  substantial  and 
durable. — Daily  Intelligencer. 

THE  SOLDIER'S  BRIDE,  AND  OTHER  TALES, 
by  James  Hall,  Esa.,  author  of  "  Legends  of  the  West," 
&c. 

3 


26  NEW   AND 

CONTENTS. 

1.  The  Soldier's  Bride. 

2.  Cousin  Lucy  and  the  Village  Teacher. 

3.  Empty  Pockets. 

4.  The  Captain's  Lady. 

5.  The  Philadelphia  Dun. 

6.  The  Bearer  of  Despatches. 

7.  The  Village  Musician. 

8.  Fashionable  Watering- Places. 

9.  The  Useful  Man. 
10.  The  Dentist. 

IL  The  Bachelor's  Elysium. 

12.  Pete  Featherton. 

13.  The  Billiard  Table. 

We  have  just  risen  from  the  perusal  of  the  Soldier's  Bride. 
The  impression  it  leaves  upon  the  mind  is  like  that  which 
we  receive  from  the  sight  of  a  landscape  of  rural  beauty  and 
repose — or  from  the  sound  of  rich  and  sweet  melody.  Every 
part  of  this  delightful  tale  is  redolent  of  moral  and  natural 
loveliness.  The  writer  belongs  to  the  same  class  with  Irving 
and  Paulding ;  and  as  in  his  descriptions,  characters  and 
incidents,  he  never  loses  sight  of  the  true  and  legitimate 
purpose  of  fiction,  the  elevation  of  the  taste  and  moral  cha- 
racter of  his  readers,  he  will  contribute  his  full  share  to  the 
creation  of  sound  and  healthful  literature. —  United  States 
Gazette. 

Key  &  Biddle  have  recently  published  another  series  of 
Tales — the  Soldier's  Bride,  &c.  by  James  Hall.  The  approba- 
tion every  where  elicited  by  Judge  Hall's  Legends  of  the 
West,  has  secured  a  favourable  reception  for  the  present  vo- 
lume ;  and  its  varied  and  highly  spirited  contents,  consisting  of 
thirteen  tales,  will  be  founa  no  less  meritorious  than  his  pre- 
vious labours. — National  Gazette. 

We  have  found  much  to  admire  in  the  perusal  of  this  in- 
teresting work.  It  abounds  in  correct  delineation  of  charac- 
ter, and  although  in  some  of  his  tales,  the  author's  style  is 
familiar,  yet  he  has  not  sacrificed  to  levity  the  dignity  of  his 
pen,  nor  tarnished  his  character  as  a  chaste  and  classical 
writer.  At  the  present  day,  when  the  literary  world  is  flooded 
with  fustian  and  insipidity,  and  the  public  taste  attempted  to 
be  vitiated  by  the  weak  and  efTeminate  productions  of  those 


POPULAR  WQRKS.  27 

whose  minds  are  as  incapable  of  imagininjr  the  lofty  and 
generous  feelings  they  would  pouitray,  as  their  hearts  are  of 
exercising  them,  it  is  peculiarly  gratifying  to  receive  a  work, 
from  the  pages  of  which  the  eye  may  cater  with  satisfaction, 
and  the  mind  feast  with  avidity  and  benefit. — Pittsburg 
Mercury. 

THE  TESTIMONY  OP  NATURE  AND  REVE- 
LATION TO  THE  BEING,  PERFECTIONS  AND 
GOVERNMENT  OF  GOD.  By  the  Rev.  Henry  Fer- 
gus, Dunfermline,  Author  of  the  History  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  till  the  termination  of  the  War  of  In- 
dependence, in  Lardners'  Cyclopedia. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Fergus's  Testimony  of  Nature  and  Reve- 
lation to  the  Being,  Perfection  and  Government  of  God,  is 
an  attempt  to  do  in  one  volume  what  the  Bridgwater  Trea- 
tises are  to  do  in  eight.  We  wish  one-eighth  of  the  reward 
only  may  make  its  way  to  Dunfermline.  Mr.  Fergus's 
Treatise  goes  over  the  whole  ground  with  fervour  and  ability; 
it  is  an  excellent  volume,  and  may  be  had  for  somewhere 
about  half  the  price  of  one  Bridgwater  octavo.  London 
Spectator. 

TALES  OF  ROMANCE,  FIRST  SERIES.  This 
is  not  only  an  uncommonly  neat  edition,  but  a  very  enter- 
taining book ;  how  could  it  be  otherwise  when  such  an  array 
of  authors  as  the  following  is  presented. 

The  work  contains  All's  Bride,  a  tale  from  the  Persian,  by 
Thomas  Moore,  interspersed  with  poetry.  The  Last  of  the 
Line,  by  Mrs.  S.  C.  Hall,  an  author  who  sustains  a  reputa- 
tion which  every  succeeding  production  greatly  enhances. 
The  Wire  Merchant's  Story,  by  the  author  of  the  King's 
Own.  The  Procrastinator,  by  T.  Croften  Croker.  The 
Spanish  Beadsman.     The  Legend  of  Rose  Rocke,  by  the 

author  of  Stories  of  Waterloo.     Barbara  S -,  by 

Charles  Lamb.  A  Story  of  the  Heart.  The  Vacant  Chair, 
by  J.  M.  Wilson ;  and  the  (iueen  of  the  Meadows,  by  Miss 
Mitford. 

This  volume  has  no  pretentions  to  the  inculcation  of 
mawkish  sensibility.  We  have  read  every  word  of  it,  and 
can  confidently  recommend  it  to  our  friends. — Journal  of 
JSeiles  Letters, 


28  NEW   AND 

YOUNG  MAN'S  OWN  BOOK.— A  Manual  of  Po- 
liteness, Intellectual  Improvement,  and  Moral  Deportment, 
calculated  to  form  the  character  on  a  solid  basis,  and  to  in- 
sure respectability  and  success  in  life. 

Its  contents  are  made  up  of  brief  and  weH  written  essays 
upon  subjects  very  judiciously  selected,  and  will  prove  a  use- 
ful and  valuable  work  to  those  who  give  it  a  careful  reading, 
and  make  proper  use  of  those  hints  which  the  author  throws 
out. — Boston  Traveller, 

We  cheerfully  recommend  a  perusal  of  the  Young  Man's 
Own  Book  to  all  our  young  friends,  for  we  are  convinced  that 
if  they  read  it  faithfully,  they  will  find  themselves  both  wiser 
and  better. —  The  Young  Man's  Advocate. 

In  tho  Young  Man's  Own  Book,  much  sound  advice, 
upoa  a  variety  of  important  subjects  is  administered,  and  a 
large  number  of  rules  are  laid  down  for  the  regulation  of  con- 
duct, the  practice  of  which  can  not  fail  to  ensure  respecta- 
bility.— Saturday  Courier. 

YOUNG  LADY'S  OWN  BOOK,  a  Manual  of  Intel- 
lectual Improvement  and  Moral  Deportment.  By  the  author 
of  the  Young  Man's  Own  Book. 

Messrs.  Key  and  Biddle,  of  this  city,  have  published  a 
very  neat  little  volume,  entitled,  The  Young  Lady's  Own 
Book.  Its  contents  are  well  adapted  to  its  useful  purpose. — 
National  Gazette. 

The  Young  Lady's  Own  Book  seems  to  us  to  have 
been  carefully  prepared,  to  comprehend  much  and  various 
instruction  of  a  practical  character,  and  to  correspond  in  its 
contents  with  its  title. —  Young  Man's  Advocate. 

The  Young  Lady's  Own  Book,  embellished  with  beauti- 
ful engravings,  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  young  fe- 
male.— Inquirer. 

All  the  articles  in"  the  Young  Lady's  Own  Book  are  of 
a  useful  and  interesting  character. — N.  Y.  Com.  Adv. 

WACOUSTA,   OR   THE  PROPHECY;   A  Tale 

OF  THE  CaNADAS.      2  Vols. 

This  work  is  of  a  deeply  interesting  character,  and  justly 
lays  claim  to  be  of  the  highest  cast.    We  think  it  decidedly 


POPULAR   WORKS.  29 

superior  to  any  production  of  the  kind  which  has  recently 
emanated  from  the  press.  It  abounds  with  thrilling  scenes, 
and  the  author  has  displayed  a  power  of  delineation  rarely 
surpassed. — Daily  Intelligencer. 

We  YiKve.  read  it,  and  unhesitatingly  pronounce  it  one  of 
the  most  deeply  interesting  works  of  fiction  which  has  met 
our  eye  for  many  a  month.  It  is  a  historical  novel — the 
scenes  of  which  are  laid  principally  at  Detroit  and  Macki- 
na — and  some  of  the  tragic  events  which  those  places  wit- 
nessed in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country,  are  given  with 
historic  accuracy — particularly  the  massacre  of  Mackina. — 
The  author  is  evidently  conversant  with  Indian  strategem 
and  with  Indian  eloquence  ;  and  has  presented  us  with  spe- 
cimens of  both,  truly  characteristic  of  the  untutored  savage. 
We  would  gladly  present  our  readers  with  an  extract  from 
this  interesting  work,  did  our  limits  permit.  In  lieu  of  an  ex- 
tract, however,  we  commend  the  work  itself  to  them. —  Com- 
mercial  Herald. 

The  principal  personage  of  this  novel  is  a  savage  chief, 
and  the  story  of  his  retreat,  bearing  off  captive  the  daughter 
of  the  Governor,  is  told  with  thrilling  effect.  It  is  well 
written  throughout,  and  abounds  with  interesting  scenes. — 
Commercial  Advertiser. 

ZOE,  OR  THE  SICILIAN  SAYDA.~As  an  his- 
torical romance,  embellished  with  the  creations  of  a  lively 
imagination,  and  adorned  with  the  beauties  of  a  classic  mind, 
this  production  will  take  a  high  rank,  and  although  not  so 
much  lauded  as  a  Cooper  or  an  Irving,  he  may  be  assured 
that  by  a  continuance  of  his  efforts,  he  will  secure  the  ap- 
probation of  his  countrymen,  and  the  reward  of  a  wide  spread 
fame. — Daily  Intelligencer. 

We  do  not  call  attention  to  this  on  account  of  any  previ- 
ous reputation  of  its  author;  it  po.ssesses intrinsic  merit,  and 
will  obtain  favour  because  it  merits  it.  It  is  historical,  and 
the  name  and  circumstances  are  to  be  found  in  the  records  of 
those  times.  The  plot  is  ably  conceived,  the  characters  are 
vividly,  and  some  are  fearfully  drawn. — Boston  American 
Traveller. 

We  lately  spoke  in  terms  of  approbation  of  a  new  novel 
from  the  pen  of  a  young  American,  entitled  "'Zoe;  or  the 
Sicilian  Sayda.''  A  friend,  who  has  read  it  with  great 
pleasure,  and  who  speaks  of  its  merits  in  strong  terms  of 
praise,  has  furnished  us  with  the  following  notice  :— 
3* 


30  NEW  AND 

"  The  book  wherever  read  is  admired,  and  among  a  con- 
siderable variety  of  persons,  learned  and  ignorant,  grave  and 
gay,  sad  and  serious,  all  have  but  one  manifestation  of  feel- 
ing— and  that  feeling  delight. 

Cooper  has  been  called  the  Scott,  and  Irving  the  Addison 
of  America ;  and  the  author  of  Zoe,  without  any  imputation 
of  vanity  or  arrogance,  can  justly  lay  claim  to  some  of  the 
attributes  of  both.  With  all  the  description,  energy,  and 
grandeur  of  the  former,  he  possesses  the  classic  graces,  and 
elegant  refinements  of  the  latter.  Comparisons,  it  is  said, 
are  always  odious,  but,  as  in  this  instance,  we  have  brought 
forward  the  names  of  two  of  our  most  distinguished  country- 
men in  the  field  of  American  letters,  not  for  the  purpose  of 
detracting  from  their  high  and  justly  appreciated  merits,  but 
for  adding  another  one  to  the  number  of  this  small  but  bril- 
liant galaxy,  we  shall  be  acquitted  of  any  sinister  attempt  to 
elevate  another  at  the  expense  of  those  whose  fame  is 
widely  spread  and  firmly  established. 

Zoe  is  a  production,  which  will  rank  among  the  highest  and 
most  successful  creations  of  the  imagination.  It  is  replete 
with  interest,  from  the  first  chapter  to  the  last;  the  story 
never  flags,  the  dialogues  never  tire  ;  and  the  varied  charac- 
ters who  figure  in  the  plot,  are  invested  with  an  individuality 
which  at  once  impresses  upon  the  mind  the  graphic  skill,  and 
vivid  conceptions  of  the  author.  Interesting  and  all  absorb- 
ing as  tlie  personages  are,  there  is  one,  however,  of  whom  to 
read  is  to  love ;  the  dark-eyed,  feeling,  beautiful  and  self-sacri- 
ficing Zoe.  It  is  she  that  appears  embodied  before  our  eyes, 
in  all  the  fascination  of  beauty  ;  and  it  is  she  that  we  part 
with  in  all  the  combined  feelings  of  affection,  admiration  and 
regret. 

But  it  is  not  our  purpose  to  pourtray  the  charming  heroine 
of  the  story. 

For  the  nameless  attraction  of  her  mind,  the  glowing  ardour 
of  her  feelings,  and  the  thousand  fascinating  charms  with 
which  she  was  invested, — we  must  refer  our  readers  to  the 
book  itself 

In  conclusion,  we  commend  Zoe  to  all  who  are  fond  of  an 
interesting  romance — to  all  who  desire  to  become  acquainted 
with  and  encourage  the  merits  of  our  native  literature." — 
Pennsylvania  Inquirer. 


POPULAR   WORKS.  31 


NEW  WORKS, 

IN  PRESS, 

BY  KEY  ^  BIDDLE, 

THE  HOME  BOOK  OF  HEALTH  AND  MEDI- 
CINE, being  a  popular  treatise  on  the  means  of  Avoiding 
and  Curing  Diseases,  and  of  Preserving  the  Health  and 
Vigour  of  the  Body  to  the  latest  period :  including  a  full  ac- 
count of  the  Diseases  of  Women  and  Children. 

THE  YOUNG  MAN'S  SUNDAY  BOOK.— In  con- 
tinuation of  the  Series  commenced  by  the  Young  Man's 
Own  Book. 

THE  WORLD  AS  IT  IS,  AND  OTHER  TALES. 

THE  YOUNG  CHRISTIAN'S  BOOK.  By  G.  T. 
Bedell,  D.  D. 

THE  JOURNAL  OF  A  LUNATIC. 

PROGRESSIVE  EXPERIENCE  OF  THE 
HEART.    By  Mrs.  Stevens. 

YOUNG  LADY'S  SUNDAY  BOOK.  By  the  Au- 
thor of  the  Young  Lady's  Own  Book. 

THE  FAMILY  BOOK;  a  series  of  Discourses,  with 
Prayers  for  each  Sunday  evening  in  the  year;  with  an  In- 
troductory Essay.     By  the  Rev.  John  Breckinridge. 

HARPE'S  HEAD.  A  Legend  of  Kentucky.  By  the 
Author  of  Legends  of  the  West. 

LETTERS  FROM  THE  NORTH  OF  EUROPE. 

By  Charles  Boileau  Elliott,  Esq. 

This  is  one  of  those  remarkably  pleasant  tours  which  an 
intelligent  gentleman,  who  has  seen  much  of  the  world,  is 


32  NEW  AND 

alone  calculated  to  write — one  of  those  productions  which 
engage  the  attention  and  do  not  fatigue  it,  and  which  we 
read  t'roni  first  to  last  with  the  agreeable  sensation,  that  we 
are  gathering  the  information  of  very  extensive  travel  easily, 
by  our  own  fireside. — London  Literary  Gazette. 

One  striking  evidence  of  the  rapid  progress  wc  are  making 
in  civilization  is  the  constant  and  increasing  demand  for  tra- 
vels and  voyages.  We  are  no  longer  contented  to  live  within 
ourselves.  The  whole  world  is  our  theatre.  We  explore  all 
its  regions ;  nor  is  there  a  spot  visited  by  the  sun  that  is 
wholly  unknown  to  us.  Our  enterprising  countrymen  go 
forth  to  collect  their  intellectual  treasures,  and  return  home 
to  enrich  us  with  their  stores.  Every  month  adds  something 
valuable  to  the  general  stock.  We  enjoy  the  benefit  without 
encountering  the  peril.  We  sympathise  with  danger,  while 
we  feel  that  it  is  past,  and  luxuriate  in  pleasurable  emotions, 
while  our  hearts  thrill  with  the  interest  which  the  daring  ad- 
venturer has  thrown  round  himself.  This  species  of  writing 
has  also  a  charm  for  every  reader.  The  man  of  science  and 
the  rustic,  the  scholar  and  the  mechanic,  sit  down  with  equal 
zest  to  participate  in  the  mental  feast ;  and  thus  knowledge 
is  widely  diffused — knowledge  which  invigorates  the  inward 
man,  enlarging  his  capacity,  and  extending  the  sphere  of  his 
enjoyments,  and  which  prepares  a  whole  nation  for  liberal 
institutions,  which  invests  them  with  political  and  commercial 
importance,  and  thus  raises  them  in  the  scale  of  nations.  The 
success  of  works  of  this  description  stimulates  enterprise, 
and  opens  the  largest  field  for  the  useful  employment  of  en- 
ergies which  might  otherwise  be  wasted. 

Mr.  Elliott  justly  ranks  among  the  most  enlightened  and 
intelligent  of  his  class.  His  unpretending  volume  discovers 
an  enthusiastic  love  of  nature,  and  the  most  liberal  views  of 
man  in  all  his  diversified  conditions.  We  scarcely  ever  read 
a  work  in  which  there  is  so  little  to  censure  and  so  much  to 
approve.  Unlike  many  of  his  brethren,  he  is  a  good  writer: 
his  style  is  pure  and  classical.  He  is  likewise  a  philosopher 
and  a  Christian.  We  first  become  his  willing  associates, 
and  our  intercourse  soon  ripens  into  friendship.  We  close 
the  book  with  reluctance,  and  take  leave  of  him  with  a  sigh 
of  regret. — London  New  Monthly  Magazine. 

Key  &  BiDDLE  have  now  in  press  THE  RELIGIOUS 
SOUVENIR— A  Christmas,  New  Year  and  Birth  Day 
Present  for  1834.    Edited  by  Gregory  T.  Bedell,  D.  D. 


POPULAR   WORKS.  33 

Most  of  the  engravings  are  already  finished,  and  we  feel  no 

hesitation  in  saying  the  volume  will  be  much  superior  in  every 

respect  to  that  of  the  present  year,  the  success  of  which  may 

be  learned  from  the  perusal  of  the  following  literary  notices. 

A  gift  book  which  unites  the  embellishments  of  fancy  and 
imagination,  with  a  strictly  religious  and  moral  tendency  in 
the  whole  texture  of  the  work — a  Souvenir  which  no  person 
of  strictly  religious  principles,  would  hesitate  to  place  in  the 
hands  of  a  valued  friend.  Such  a  work  has  been  pronounced 
a  desideratum  by  many,  whose  opinions  are  regarded  with 
deference  by  the  religious  community. —  The  Hevivalist. 

The  literary  character  of  this  Souvenir  is  of  a  high  order, 
many  of  the  pieces  breathe  a  pure,  devotional  spirit  and  Chris- 
tian fervour,  andthe  whole  are  entirely  devoid  of  sectarianism, 
and  clothed  in  attractive  unexceptionable  language.  Taken 
altogether,  the  Religious  Souvenir  is  a  work  that  may  be 
warmly  and  generally  commended.  Mechanically  it  is  a 
beautiful  volume,  and  intellectually,  such  as  does  credit  to  all 
who  have  contributed  to  its  pages. — Boston   Traveller. 

This  is  an  elegant  Annual.  The  pieces  are  generally  of 
a  moral  and  religious  tendency,  but  not  the  less  interesting  on 
that  acount. — Journal  of  Commerce. 

The  Religious  Souvenir  is  a  very  beautiful  holiday  pre- 
sent, is  Edited  by  the  Rev,  G.  T.  Bedell,  and  is  devoted  to 
moral  and  religious  subjects,  all  original  but  one  by  the  artist 
illustrating  his  own  picture.  In  the  initials  subscribed  to  the 
articles,  we  recognize  several  writers  who  have  heretofore 
distinguished  themselves  by  contributions  to  our  periodical 
literature. — N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser. 

This  is  really  a  superb  volume;  and  one  which  we  hope 
■will  be  widely  circulated  throughout  the  community.  Dr. 
Bedell  has  shown  considerable  judgment  in  the  selection  and 
disposal  of  his  matter,  and  we  thank  him  for  presenting  to 
the  public  in  so  inviting  a  form,  a  work  which  is  well  calcula- 
ted to  form  pious  feelings,  and  establish  reUgious  principles. — 
Family  Journal. 

We  doubt  not,  but  many  people  of  piety  and  taste,  who 
wish  to  ornament  their  parlour  and  instruct  those  who  may 
read  ;  or  who  desire  to  bestow  a  religious  remembrancer  on 
some  beloved  friend,  will  call  at  some  book  store  for  Dr. 
Bedell's  "  Souvenir." —  T%e  Philadelphian. 


34  NEW  AND 

A  volume,  too,  which  does  not  degrade  or  disgrace  the  sub- 
ject— a  volume  destined,  not  to  pass  away  with  the  winter 
greens  that  adorn  our  Christmas  parlours,  but  to  maintain  a 
lasting  hold  on  the  attention  of  the  christian  community,  at 
least  so  long  as  good  taste  and  good  sense  shall  have  any  vote 
in  the  selection  of  books.  We  have  read  the  volume  care- 
fully, and  do  not  hesitate  to  pronounce  it  one  of  unusual  in- 
terest as  well  as  solid  merit. —  United  States  Gazette. 

Messrs.  Key  &  Biddle  have  made  a  valuable  present  to 
religious  parents,  guardians  and  friends,  in  this  elegant  little 
volume.  Why  should  all  our  gifts  on  these  occasions  be 
worldly  or  worse  1  And  why  should  religious  truth  always 
shun  the  aids  of  beautiful  ornament  %  Tne  embellishments 
are  attractive,  well  selected,  and  well  executed.  The  various 
papers  which  compose  the  volume  are  serious,  tasteful,  allur- 
ing, imbued  with  the  spiritof  the  Gospel,  inaword,  suchaswe 
should  have  expected  from  one  so  zealous  for  the  cause  of 
Christ,  and  so  inventive  of  happy  thoughts  as  the  Rev.  Edi- 
tor. This  annual  may  be  safely  recommended  to  the  Chris- 
tian public. —  The  Presbyterian. 

To  all,  therefore,  who  desire  intellectual  improvement,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  the  gratification  of  a  true  taste — and  to  all 
who  would  make  a  really  valuable  present  to  their  friends,  we 
would  say,  in  conclusion,  go  and  procure  the  Religious  Sou- 
venir. It  is  not  merely  a  brilliant  little  ornament  for  the 
parlour  centre  table,  but  a  book  worthy  of  a  place  in  every 
sensible  man's  library. —  Cincinnatti  Enquirer. 

The  typography,  embellishments,  and  general  appearance 
of  the  work,  render  it  fully  equal  in  these  respects  to  any 
of  the  kind  published  in  our  country,  while  its  subjects  are  far 
more  suitable  for  the  contemplation  of  christians  than  the 
light  reading  with  which  most  of  them  are  filled. — Episcopal 
Recorder. 

The  articles  are  not  only  interesting,  but  calculated  to  pro- 
duce a  beneficial  effect  upon  the  minds  of  those  who  read  it, 
therefore,  a  very  proper  work  for  the  purpose  for  which  it 
is  designed,  and  hope  it  may  meet  with  an  extensive  sale. — 
Baltimore  Republican. 

We  hail  with  much  pleasure  this  attempt  to  convey  religious 
truth  in  a  garb  at  once  pleasing  and  instructive.  The  popu- 
lar form  of  the  annual  is  well  adapted  to  the  purpose,  and 
may  often  invite  the  attention  and  make  a  salutary  imprea- 


POPULAR   WORKS.  35 

sion,  where  works  of  a  graver  character  would  fail  of  effect 
when  perused,  or  more  probably  be  never  perused  at  all.  We 
commend,  therefore,  this  new  effort  of  Christian  philanthro- 
py, and  think  it  Ukely  to  be  followed  by  useful  results. — 
Charleston  Courier. 

In  the  general  character  of  those  fashionable,  and  as  to  ap- 
pearance, attractive  volumes,  the  annuals,  there  is  so  much 
that  is  trashy  and  unprofitable,  that  it  was  with  no  little  mis- 
giving we  looked  into  the  pages  of  one  which  is  now  before 
ns,  entitled  "  The  Religious  Souvenir."  The  matter  is 
altogether  of  religious  and  moral  tendency,  not  chargeable 
with  sectarian  bias,  and  such  as  the  most  scrupulous  need 
not  hesitate  to  admit  into  family  reading. —  The  Friend. 

This  little  work  is  intended  to  furnish  what  was  heretofore 
wanted — a  Christmas  and  New  Year's  offering,  which  may 
be  bestowed  and  accepted  by  the  most  scrupulous. — Pitts- 
burg Gazette. 

We  are  happy  to  announce  the  tasteful  appearance  and 
valuable  matter  of  the  Religious  Souvenir  for  1833.  Dr. 
Bedell  is  as  much  distinguished  for  his  belles-lettres  attain- 
ment, as  for  the  profoundness  of  his  scholarship  and  the  pu- 
rity of  his  motives.  He  has  found  himself  at  home  in  this 
tasteful  enterprize  and  in  good  company  with  the  associated 
talent  of  the  contributors  to  his  beautiful  pages. — N.  Y. 
Weekly  Messenger. 

The  engravings  for  the  work  are  chiefly  from  English  de 
signs,  by  the  best  American  artists,  and  may  challenge  com- 

[)arison  with  any  contemporary  works  of  this  country.  The 
iterary  contributions  to  the  volume  are  in  strict  accordance 
with  the  name. —  United  States  Gazette. 

This  work  is  got  up  in  an  unusual  style  of  neatness  and 
beauty,  and  ornamented  with  engravings  of  great  elegance. 
The  contents  of  the  work  are,  as  might  have  been  expected 
from  the  high  character  of  the  Editor,  of  a  moral  and  religious 
description,  intended  to  produce  the  best  effects  upon  the 
minds  of  its  readers. — Daily  Advertiser. 

Messrs.  Key  &  Biddle  have  published  a  handsome  little 
volume,  entitled  Religious  Souvenir,  and  edited  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Bedell.  It  is  embellished  with  beautiful  engravings,  and 
printed  with  elegance.  The  literary  contents  are  very  good — 
soundly  pious,  and  free  of  all  invidious  remark  or  allusion. 
True  Christianity  is  that  which  purifies  the  heart,  liberalizes 
the  feelings,  and  amends  the  conduct. — National  Gazette. 


36  POFTJLAR   WORKS. 

MEMOIRS  OF  DR.  BURNEY,  arranged  from  his 
own  Manuscript,  from  family  papers,  and  from  personal  re- 
collections, by  his  daughter,  Madame  D'Arblay. 

The  Monthly  Review  in  noticing  the  Memoirs  of  Dr. 
Burney,  expresses  the  opinion  "  that  a  more  aviusing  and 
profitable  production  has  not  appeared  for  inany  years." 

Several  literary  gentlemen  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  who 
have  examined  the  work,  declare  that  next  to  Boswell's  Life 
of  Johnson,  it  is  the  most  attractive  and  interesting  memoir 
ever  pubhshcd. 

TRANSATLANTIC  SKETCHES,  comprising  visits 
to  the  most  interesting  scenes  in  North  and  South  America, 
and  the  West  Indies,  with  notes  on  negro  slavery  and  Cana- 
dian emigration,  by  Capt.  J.  E.  Alexander,  42d  Royal  High- 
landers, F.  R.  G.  S.  M.  R.  A.  S.  etc.  author  of  Travels  in 
Asia,  Persia,  etc. 

THE  ARISTOCRAT,  by  the  author  of  Zoe,  &c. 


